PUTRAJAYA – The Transport Ministry will issue new approval letters to allow companies registered under the SMILE system to operate during the Covid-19 lockdown that takes effect tomorrow, as previous letters are now null and void.
In a statement today, it said the new letters are available for download here.
SMILE is reserved for logistics and commercial transport companies, including those involved in air and maritime transportation, courier services and warehousing.
On lockdown standard operating procedures, the ministry said only two people, including the driver, are allowed in private cars, taxis and e-hailing vehicles at any one time, regardless of their capacity.
However, three people, including the driver, are allowed in the case of a medical emergency or Covid-19 vaccination appointment, or for security reasons.
For public transport, all operators of land and sea transportation are allowed to run at 50% passenger capacity.
However, airlines are exempted from this requirement due to already-low passenger levels, said the ministry.
“All operators are allowed to determine their respective optimum service frequencies to prevent crowding at terminals, platforms and stations, and ensure full compliance with National Security Council and Health Ministry SOPs.”
For the logistics sector, it said, firms involved in land, sea and air transport, and the handling of goods, including e-commerce businesses, are allowed to operate at their optimum level.
Vehicle workshops and tyre shops, which are not under the ministry’s purview but related to the transport and logistics sectors, are also allowed to operate, it said. – Bernama, May 31, 2021