Malaysia

F&B, banking, healthcare among essential sectors allowed open during total lockdown

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says new directive applies nationwide with no exceptions

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 30 May 2021 5:25PM

F&B, banking, healthcare among essential sectors allowed open during total lockdown — Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has advised all youth to stay at home following a climb in Covid-19 cases involving youngsters. – The Vibe file pic, May 30, 2021

by The Vibes Team

KUALA LUMPUR – Among the economic sectors listed as essential and allowed to open during the total lockdown from June 1 to 14 are food and beverage, banking, healthcare, public transport, as well as news and veterinary services.

Only 12 manufacturing sectors are permitted to operate, including aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul; packaging for food and beverage, and medicine; and personal hygiene. However, they must operate with only 60% capacity during the lockdown period.

Companies manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE), PPE textile, medical equipment components, electrical and electronics items, oil and gas (including petrochemicals), as well as the production, distillation, storage, supply and distribution of fuels and lubricants, are also allowed to open.

“I hope the manufacturing sector will comply with the government directive as I have read on social media of complaints that employers are forcing workers to work, thus violating the 60% capacity order,” said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in a press conference today.

“I urge the affected workers to lodge a complaint to the Human Resources Ministry and police so authorities can take stern action.”

Today’s directive applies to the entire country without exception, he added.

Malls have to close, but tenants selling food and beverage, and essential items are allowed to open. Supermarkets and hypermarkets are also allowed to operate, but only to sell food and essential items. Other sections in the premises, such as clothing, are prohibited from opening.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says he hopes the manufacturing sector will comply with the new government directive. – Bernama TV pic, May 30, 2021

Pharmacies, mini-marts and shops selling essential items are permitted to operate.

Eateries and restaurants can continue to operate for delivery and takeaway services, but the dine-in ban still stands.

Laundromats (including self-service ones), car and motorcycle workshops, hardware stores, as well as pet and optical shops are considered essential and allowed to remain open.

Agriculture, aquaculture and supply chain operations are allowed, while construction for selected public infrastructure remains operational with a caveat – to have their worker quarters on-site so they will not come in contact with the community.

Farming, fishing and related activities are allowed. For example, for farming activities, shops that sell fertilisers are permitted to operate, or palm oil – other than plantations – things like transport are allowed to operate.

Other sectors allowed to open are airports, cargo, commodities, community credit, courier services, defence, financial services, humanitarian aid, ports, postal services, pawn shops, Ar-Rahnu, insurance, limited logistic services, hotel accommodation for frontliners and quarantine purposes, as well as enforcement for forestry and wildlife.

All business sectors are permitted to operate only between 8am and 8pm.

Individuals can go outside only to purchase essential products, such as food and medicine – nothing else. Only two people from each household are allowed out, and no further than 10km.

Kindergartens and nurseries are not allowed to open, except those servicing frontliners.

Sports and recreational activities are permitted but limited to individual activities with up to two people.

Covid-19 infections among youth are on the rise, which is why the government has shut down education sectors to avoid further spikes, says a senior minister. – The Vibes file pic, May 30, 2021

With the total lockdown, all International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) permit letters are valid only till May 31. New ones will be distributed only from related ministries from June 1.

“For example, if you are in the farming sector, you will need a letter from the Agriculture Ministry,” said Ismail Sabri.

“Everyone has to make sacrifices. Some are forced to close their shops, some their factories.

The same goes for long-distance spouses, who are prohibited from crossing borders to visit one another, he added.

“Infections among youth have surged, which is why we have shut down education sectors to avoid further surges. Our message to all youth is to stay at home.”

He said more directives will be issued by the respective ministries and on the National Security Council website.

According to a Miti statement, below are the manufacturing and manufacturing-related services allowed to open between June 1 and 14.