'Businesses shouldn't be punished due to irresponsible individuals'

 

As the country starts to do away with MySejahtera app check-ins, the retail industry is urging the government not to hold premises owners responsible if high-risk individuals are found on their premises.

In a joint statement, six retail business NGOs said individuals themselves must be held liable in the event of any enforcement.

The group welcomes the relaxation of SOPs, which includes doing away with the MySejahtera app check-in function effective tomorrow and the removal of all establishments from the negative list effective May 15.

"The responsibility of keeping our premises and community safe is largely a tripartite responsibility - by the authorities, premises owners and individuals," said the group.

"All individuals whose MySejahtera status are 'High Risk' or Covid positive and those on home surveillance order (HSO) should be self-disciplined and not enter any public premises."

"The onus lies on all individuals to ensure they are not on the high-risk list when they venture out or even to fake their status under any circumstances. Individuals being allowed into the premises is based on good faith and integrity," said the group.

Public cooperation

The group called for public cooperation when they are requested to show their MySejahtera status.

"We fully support the call by the authorities to emphasise and remind the rakyat to be responsible citizens and not to resist or be unwilling to show their MySejahtera status," said the group.

"That being said, the authorities must recognise that premises owners cannot be held responsible if high-risk individuals are inevitably found in the premises as the individuals themselves must be held liable in the event of any enforcement."

Yesterday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told premises owners, especially in high-risk establishments such as restaurants, to check the Covid-19 risk status of visitors using the MySejahtera app.

Khairy also warned that action can be taken under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) against individuals on the premises found to be 'high risk' for violating the rules and exposing the risk of infection to others.

The statement is jointly endorsed by Asean Retailers & Franchise Federation (ARFF), Bumiputra Retailers Organisation (BRO), Federation of Malaysia Business Associations (FMBA), Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA) and Malaysia Shopping Malls Association (PPK). - Mkini