Johor to move to Phase 3, Pahang to Phase 4

Johor will move to Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) while Pahang will move to Phase Four effective Oct 8, Senior Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

In a statement, he said the decision was reached at the Covid-19 Pandemic Management Special Committee meeting today.

“This (phase) transition has been made in accordance with the guidelines set by the National Recovery Plan and after taking into account the current risk assessment by the health ministry and the National Security Council (NSC),” Hishammuddin, who is defence minister, said.

He said SOPs for states entering Phase Three and Four will be the same as before. The latest SOP details will be updated by the NSC on its website, www.mkn.gov.my.

Hishammuddin said the meeting also agreed to allow several new flexibilities including the operating hours of wholesale markets, as well as the “thaali” tying ceremony at temples and holy matrimony at churches during the NRP period, effective Oct 9.

“The operating hours of wholesale markets under Phase Two and Phase Three will be allowed according to the conditions of the licence and permit from the local authorities (PBT) as stipulated, provided the employees are fully vaccinated and comply with the existing SOPs,” he said.

On the implementation of weddings at temples and churches, he said the national unity ministry would inform the Hindu and Christian associations of the necessary SOPs.

Apart from that, he said public auctions for the pawnbroking sector registered under the housing and local government ministry will also be allowed from Oct 9 with certain conditions.

These include allowing only fully vaccinated employees and bidders, as well as involving only 54 auctioneers that have been identified nationwide, limited to 30-minute sessions on the first and seventh days of each month with the capacity of employees and bidders according to the NRP phases.

For Phase Two, only 60% of employee capacity and 50% of bidders will be allowed followed by Phase Three (80% of employee capacity and 80% of bidders), and Phase Four (100% capacity for both employees and bidders).

He also said that the tobacco sector and its supply chain will be allowed to operate under Phase Two onwards.

Hishammuddin however reminded the public to continue practising the SOPs, and to increase self-assessment to protect themselves and the surrounding community from the Covid-19 infection.

“In the #ReopeningSafely effort, the most important thing is for all of us not to be complacent.

“Despite all the concessions that have been announced, the fact that we have to face is that we all still have to live with the (threat of) Covid-19 virus,” he added.