WE are elated that the country is transiting into an endemic environment and that many more economic sectors and activities have been allowed reopen.
We reiterate that it is not possible to have a comprehensive list of economic activities and invariably some sectors will be inadvertently missed out, leading to the tedious and long delays to appeal and obtain approvals.
One glaring activity is general office functions, including coworking sectors, which are crucial in support of the administration and management of operations that are now allowed to reopen.
As most businesses are in a critical state of survival, time is of paramount essence to reopen and operate efficiently and productively for better chance of revival and recovery.
Thus, we appeal for all individuals who are fully vaccinated and afforded vaccination privileges to be automatically allowed to physically return to work in their respective offices immediately without having to apply for more permits.
This will alleviate all current backlogs in applications and delays, as well as uncertainties in approvals either from the International Trade and Industry Ministry or other authorities.
Those at work under their respective vaccination privileges should be exempted from the count of the existing maximum of 60% for Phase 1 (of the National Recovery Plan) and 80% for Phase 2 of total employees allowed to physically return to work.
With Covid-19 becoming endemic, there should no longer be any need to restrict capacity for the office and coworking sectors because with 100% physical return to work, this will allow businesses to restart full operations immediately so our economy can recover at a faster pace.
It is pertinent to note that employees contribute significantly to spending in domestic economic systems, especially in the food and beverage sector, which will create the much-needed multiplier effect for the overall rapid revival of our country’s economy.
The beginning of our economic recovery is highly dependent on thriving domestic demand as there is unlikely to be any international tourist arrivals for the foreseeable future.
We advocate that this is applicable for all sectors, without any distinction on whether any sectors are “essential” or not, because of the very fact that if a particular sector exists, it is already playing an essential role in the ecosystem and supply chain.
Furthermore, we advocate that all fully vaccinated public sector employees immediately physically return to work at their offices i.e. to mirror the private sector, so there are no unwarranted bureaucracy bottlenecks hampering the business recovery process that is already underway.
It is urgent and crucial to immediately allow all fully vaccinated individuals to physically return to work to kick-start the long and arduous journey of restarting and reviving our battered economy and give us the best chance to save livelihoods. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021
This is a joint appeal by:
– Industries Unite; a coalition of 117 trade associations and chambers of commerce
– Malaysia Shopping Malls Association
– Malaysia Retailers Association
– Malaysia Retail Chain Association
– Bumiputera Retailers Organisation
– Malaysia REIT Managers Association
– Malaysian Association of Theme Park and Family Attractions
– Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors
