PUTRAJAYA – Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has called on Malaysians to be patient, as many await the lifting of restrictions on interstate travel.
He said discussions have been held with Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, and the standard operating procedures for relaxed curbs will be presented to the National Security Council (NSC) soon.
“We will present it to NSC in the near future. There is hope (for interstate travel). I ask everyone to be patient for a bit. It is all there (SOPs), just give us a bit more time. We all know that allowing (interstate travel now) is like asking for trouble.
“There are states whose vaccination rates are quite low. By end-September, all states will reach the rate of 60% of the adult population being fully vaccinated. Just a little bit more; be patient,” he said in a special interview at the ministry here today.
He said other SOP relaxations will be announced soon, including allowing cinemas to reopen to individuals who have completed their Covid-19 vaccination.
On Wednesday, the Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors appealed for the government to consider the matter, as operators of cinemas, which have been shut since March last year, have suffered over RM600 million in losses, with 20,000 industry workers affected.
Khairy, who is also Rembau MP, said among the new SOPs to be announced is a rule on ventilation in public buildings.
“The ventilation SOP will be part of the new (SOPs). It is crucial. We are working out what the minimum requirements are for public buildings. This is a key performance indicator for another ministry, but we will insist on it.”
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, meanwhile, said the matter of allowing cinemas to resume operations has been brought to NSC’s attention.
Citing a Golden Screen Cinemas tweet requesting that the public propose the reopening of movie theatres, he said the government is set to make an announcement related to the industry soon.
“Yes, I am aware of the situation faced by cinemas in Malaysia, and I have brought up the issue to NSC, together with other matters related to the creative industry. Inshaallah, the government will announce something soon,” he tweeted. – Bernama, September 3, 2021
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