[UPDATED] Muhyiddin announces perks for fully vaccinated including dine-ins under NRP’s Phase 2

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced a range of relaxations in Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) for adults who have been fully vaccinated. 

He said that the decision was taken after careful consideration, adding that Putrajaya is confident that risks can be mitigated.

“The relaxation certainly comes with a risk of an increase in daily (Covid-19) cases.

“However, the government is also not underestimating the benefits of full vaccination,” he said in a special address regarding the relaxation of restrictions today.

These include permission to travel, engage in non-contact outdoor activities and sports, undergoing quarantine at home and visiting houses of worship for prayer under certain conditions.

Some of the measures for the fully vaccinated are as follows:

1) Travellers returning to Malaysia may quarantine at home. 

2) Interstate travel allowed under Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

3) Long-distance spouses may travel across states and districts to see each other.

4) Parents may travel to see their children aged under 18.

5) Muslims and non-Muslims alike allowed to pray at places of worship subject to precautions.

6) Dine-ins allowed under Phase 2 of the NRP.

7) Outdoor exercise allowed (6am-10pm) with social distancing under Phase 2 of the NRP.

He said the new rules will come into effect Tuesday.

The fully vaccinated must show their digital vaccination certificates as proof if required, such as at roadblocks.

He said this affects those who have passed 14 days after receiving the second dose of either the Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Sinovac vaccines, and those who have passed 28 days after being jabbed with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson or CanSino vaccines. 

Muhyiddin also said that talks are underway to reopen more sectors of the economy.

On travel, Muhyiddin said married couples who are in long-distance relationships and who have been undergone the complete vaccination regimen are allowed to cross-district or state lines to meet each other.

He said fully inoculated parents will also be allowed to travel across districts and states to meet their children who are under 18 years old.

The government, he said, had also allowed tourism activities to take place within states, including at hotels and homestay facilities.

“Homestay and hotel operators must ensure that those wishing to enter the premises present digital certificates of their Covid-19 vaccinations that show them having received complete vaccinations,” he said.

Muhyiddin also said that non-contact sports and recreational activities that do not involve teams will be allowed as they were very important to the public’s mental and physical well-being.

Therefore, he said the activities will be allowed with social distancing in open or outdoor areas between 6am until 10pm daily.

Activities allowed include, but are not limited to, jogging, taichi, cycling, skateboarding, fishing, equestrian sports, archery, hiking, singles tennis and badminton, golf and motorsports.

He said patrons hoping to dine at restaurants and cafes in clubhouse premises must present their vaccination certificates.

However, changing rooms and bathing operations in clubhouses are not allowed to avoid the gathering of people after sports activities.

On dining in at eateries, Muhyiddin said the government gave the green light for it to resume although the risks are high as masks are removed while eating and conversing with those on the same table.

“In relation to this, I advise the public to dine in only when needed and not to spend too much time (at the premises). People are also advised to have takeaways when possible.

“Choose premises that have good ventilation and are in the open,” he added.

“I also wish to advise the operators of the eateries to prepare more eating spaces outside the premises to ensure better ventilation. We understand that the risk of Covid-19 spread is high inside premises compared to outside.”

He added that the operators must also ensure patrons have received full vaccinations.

“For fully vaccinated couples who wish to bring their children aged 17 and below to dine at eateries, ensure the children abide by strict SOPs.”

Leave immediately after prayers

Muhyiddin said the government also appreciated requests for religious rites to be allowed at mosques and surau.

He said that as such, mosques and surau will be allowed to take in faithful that are fully vaccinated. This relaxation applies to all phases in the NRP.

He said the same ruling applies to those who are non-Muslims and their houses of worship.

“The implementation of this measure is subject to state religious authorities and the National Unity Ministry involving non-Muslim houses of worship.”

For those returning to Malaysia, Muhyiddin said Malaysian citizens and non-citizens who reside in Malaysia, including those holding permanent resident status and living under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, can undergo mandatory quarantine at home upon entering the country. They will be put under the digital home surveillance order.

Despite the loosening of restrictions, Muhyiddin reminded the public not to ignore the set SOPs, adding that he has instructed the Home Minister and relevant authorities to carry out enforcement and monitoring of the relaxed rules.

“The government will not hesitate to retract the permissions that are given should there be any non-compliance to guidelines and SOPs that have been set,” he said. – The Vibes, August 8, 2021