Malacca and Negeri Sembilan enter Phase 2, Phase 3 of NRP

 

Malacca and Negeri Sembilan have respectively moved into Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), effective Sept 4.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was based on a decision made by a special meeting of the Covid-19 management committee today.

The government had outlined three criteria for territories to enter Phase 2 from Phase 1. These are:

1. Attain a seven-day average of new Covid-19 cases below a threshold set according to each territory's population;

2. Maintain "moderate" intensive care unit use; and
   

3. Achieve a full vaccination rate of above 10 percent.

According to Health Ministry data, Malacca's current ICU bed occupancy is at 80 percent from 92 beds, above the set "moderate" range of 75 percent.

As of Sept 1, the state has also achieved 59.2 percent full vaccination rate and 92,068 cumulative cases.

Several states that moved into Phase 2 of the NRP had last month regressed on certain criteria but no further restrictions were imposed beyond targeted enhanced movement control areas.

At the same time, Ismail Sabri also announced the reopening of selected tourism sectors under a “travel bubble” programme based on set conditions.

“As a start, Langkawi has been selected as a pilot project for reopening to domestic tourists, beginning Sept 16,” he said.

He said other tourist destinations will be allowed to open once the local vaccination rates reach 80 percent.[More to follow]

-Mkini