KUALA LUMPUR – Eateries may very soon be allowed to operate from 6am until midnight in all states in the country, regardless of their phase under the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Senior Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said this was agreed to at today’s Covid-19 Quartet Ministers meeting, although any announcement is pending approval from the Special Committee on Pandemic Management.
The committee, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is set to meet tomorrow for a decision.
Other than eateries, similar easing of restrictions have also been proposed to be given to petrol stations and convenience stores, excluding areas under the enhanced movement control order.
Currently, the majority of premises are only allowed to operate until 10pm.
“We will discuss and recommend these to the prime minister tomorrow before an announcement is made after the committee meeting,” Hishammuddin told a press conference in Parliament here today.
He said this after chairing the meeting, which was also attended by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Hishammuddin said during the meeting, Faizal had also presented a proposal on the potential of reopening stadiums to the public to watch sporting events such as football.
“This is still at the discussion stage, but Faizal’s proposals will be tabled for consideration tomorrow,” he said.
Separately, Nancy announced that today’s meeting had also agreed to include Genting Highland, Tioman Island, and Melaka as part of the government’s tourism travel bubble, which currently only involves Langkawi.
She said the destinations have been given two weeks to prepare for its reopening, which is tentatively scheduled for October 1.
Nancy said the government is in the midst of finalising standard operating procedures, including whether to require Covid-19 swab tests, which she said will be complicated considering that some of the destinations, like Melaka, cover a wide area.
Asked on measures to control interstate travelling, Hishammuddin said any announcement, particularly on Melaka, will be made by the prime minister tomorrow.
“We are moving towards an endemic phase, and this surely will include decisions allowing for interstate travelling. Even now, we already allow certain cross-border activities, such as trips to Langkawi, as well as for long-distance couples to meet.” – The Vibes, September 21, 2021
