Nightclubs to reopen from May 15

Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen starting this May 15 as the Health Ministry lifts its Covid-19 “negative list”.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today that a new set of safety protocols are being drafted to ensure the safety of visitors to such premises.

“Ban on activities listed in the National Security Council’s negative list, which was published on April 1, 2022, will be lifted starting May 15, 2022.

“The related agencies are preparing new protocols for the operation of these premises,” he said during a special announcement on the relaxation of Covid-19 standard operating procedures earlier today.

As of today, nightclubs are the only activity that has remained on the government’s negative list.

When asked to confirm during the press conference whether the lifting of the negative list means nightclubs can start to reopen after May 15, Khairy implied that it is so.

“That is the only institution which is still in the negative list. So, ‘faham-faham lah’ (do the math),” he said.

Adding further, the minister told reporters that MOH has carried out engagement sessions with stakeholders in the related industry to discuss SOPs.

According to him, both parties had exchanged their suggestions, and a recommendation had been submitted to the NSC to finalise.

“That is why I said that for the negative list, (ban on) premises listed under it are still in force until May 15.

“This is so that we will have some time to finalise the protocols so that customers of these premises can be safe when they visit them.” - Mkini