KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to reopen 11 economic sectors in states under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) is based on high vaccination rates and risk assessment by the Health; and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said economic sectors allowed to reopen must observe strict standard operating procedures (SOP), including only allowing fully vaccinated customers to make transactions or to obtain services, while workers in these premises must also be fully vaccinated.
“Currently, 74.7 per cent of the adult population have completed both vaccination doses, while 91.6 per cent have received their first dose.
“Locking up people in their homes is no longer seen as appropriate and even feared to have more implications, including mental health issues, and at the same time we need to give priority to opening up the economic sector.”
He was responding to a question from Datuk Mohd Salim Sharif (BN-Jempol), who asked the Prime Minister to state the justification for the reopening of 11 economic sectors in states under Phase One of the NRP.
Mohd Salim had also asked the government to explain measures taken by the government to flatten the Covid-19 infection curve, ensuring that those unvaccinated – such as those aged 17 and below – remain safe.
Ismail Sabri said the onus was now on the public to be disciplined, practise self-control, and ensure adherence to the SOPs.
“As we all know, despite being fully vaccinated, we can still be infected and infect others, so self-control is most important.
“The future of this country in terms of Covid-19 now depends on us, and cannot rely on vaccinations alone. Enforcement is being done by the government, but protecting ourselves is our responsibility.
“We will have to live with Covid-19. For the safety of all of us, we must be the ones to take care of ourselves, our families and the community,” he added.
Source: New Straits Times
