KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Artistes’ Association (Karyawan) is keenly anticipating a likely move by the Health Ministry to remove all sectors from the National Security Council’s (NSC) so-called “negative list”.
Its president Datuk Freddie Fernandez said the elimination of the list, which is expected to be decided on May 15, would mean that venues with live music would be allowed to resume operations after being closed for the last two years.
In a statement, Freddie said this would also allow entertainers to entertain patrons on a regular basis.
“This comes as a great relief to all our members who among others, comprise some of the leading live bands and entertainers in the country.
They have struggled to survive for two years now by seeking other forms of livelihood but can now finally go back to what they do best, which is entertaining patrons at the various food and beverage outlets throughout the country”
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced at a press conference today that all activities listed on NSC’s latest standard operating procedures will be removed from the list on May 15.
When asked if this would include nightclubs, Khairy alluded to a positive answer but said to wait for the new procedures to be finalised closer to that date.
Fernandez said the association has been constantly appealing to the government to allow live music venues to operate, and now the long wait has ended.
“This marks a significant day for all our members, most of whom are very excited about the prospect of returning to work once again and meeting all their fans and regulars at the various outlets where they used to perform regularly before the lockdown was imposed,” he said.
“Karyawan is ever ready to engage the government in the drafting of standard operating procedures and guidelines once the outlets open again.”
Fernandez also said Karyawan hopes all artistes and patrons would cooperate on the relaxed rules and follow the guidelines closely to ensure no untoward incidents occur in the future. – The Vibes, April 27, 2022
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