Next phase of MCO will be as strict, says Tengku Zafrul

 

Social activities, and the reopening of schools, will be permitted in stages as more people are fully vaccinated, says finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

KUALA LUMPUR: The second phase of restrictions under the National Recovery Plan will still represent a stringent enforcement of the movement control order, with curbs on social activities and restrictions on movement as in the first phase, finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said today.

He said the main differences between Phase 1 and Phase 2 would be the increase in physical capacity allowed, from 60% to 80% for certain permitted sectors, and the addition of more sectors to the “positive list” of sectors that will be allowed to continue operations.

He noted that the threshold indicators for transition to the second phase include average daily Covid-19 cases dropping below 4,000, usage of intensive care units no longer being at a critical level, and 10% of the country’s population having received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine.

“However, Phase 3 involves a different approach, changing from a positive list of permitted activities to a negative list comprising activities that are not allowed,” he said at a virtual media conference today.

The threshold level is for 40% of the population to be fully vaccinated, ICU usage at a safe level, and average number of daily cases below 2,000.

Tengku Zafrul said social activities will be allowed to resume in stages, including the reopening of schools and house visits on a limited basis.

“The transition from Phase 3 to Phase 4, which is the final phase, involves the complete resumption of all social and economic activities after the vaccination level has hit 60%. However, the reopening of the sectors is still subject to tight standard operating procedure compliance as well as social distancing,” he said.

Tengku Zafrul said the positive list approach amounts to a strict MCO because only the essential sectors listed, such as the manufacture of certain food items, are allowed to operate while all other sectors are not permitted.

“On the other hand, the negative list approach is more open in tandem with the achievement of 40% full vaccination level. Under this approach, all sectors can operate except activities included in the negative list, which are activities involving high risks of infections,” he added. - FMT