FOLLOWING Putrajaya’s decision to extend phase 1 of the lockdown, the government has decided to allow all restaurants and food outlets to open from 6am to 10pm starting tomorrow, said Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Previously, all food establishments were only allowed to operate from 8am to 8pm under the full lockdown, which started on June 1 and extended to June 28.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today said the lockdown would continue until the daily Covid-19 caseload decreases to under 4,000 cases, among other factors. Malaysia today recorded 5,586 new cases.

Ismail Sabri said in a statement that phase 1 of the lockdown would be maintained under the National Recovery Plan until the three key threshold value indicators are achieved.

“The three indicators are the average daily Covid-19 cases drop below 4,000, the rate of bed use in the intensive care units (ICU) are at a moderate level, and the rate of vaccination for the population that has received both doses reaches 10%,” he said.

Muhyiddin also announced that the government would unveil plans for more comprehensive financial assistance targeting all levels of society tomorrow or Tuesday.

He said the transition from phase 1 to phase 2 will take into account the three indicators before it is decided.  

“Overall, it is a four-phase transition strategy out of the Covid-19 crisis involving a phased transition plan of the MC0 in stages.”

Ismail Sabri said that for phase 1, the general SOP of MCO 3.0 still applies, whereby all social and economic activities are not allowed to operate except for the essential services sectors listed in the positive list issued by the National Security Council (NSC).

In Phase 2, the automotive (vehicles and components), ceramics, furniture factories for export purposes, rubber, iron, cement and steel industries are allowed to operate. 

“Trade and distribution sectors, bookstores and stationery, computers, telecommunications, electrical goods, car wash and barber shop (basic barber service only). 

“Permission to operate is from 8am to 8pm.”

Ismail Sabri said that inter-district and interstate movements are still not allowed except for the movement of school teachers and students for examination and classes.  

“Interstate movement for long-distance couples is allowed for emergency and special cases only with the approval of police. 

“The operation hours of restaurants, eateries, food stalls, food trucks, roadside hawkers, mobile hawkers, food courts, hawker centres, roadside food stalls or kiosks will be from 6am to 10pm.”

He added that during phase 2, farmers and morning markets are allowed to operate from 7-11am and are limited to six commodities, namely vegetables, fruits, groceries, processed chicken, seafood and meat. 

However, he said weekly markets and night markets are still not allowed to open. Individual sports and recreational activities are allowed but with no physical contact.

On phase 3, Ismail Sabri said, all economic activities are allowed to operate except activities that are high risk and listed in the negative list such as beauty salons, pubs and night clubs. 

“Inter-district movement is allowed throughout phase 3 while interstate movement is still not allowed.

“Dine-in in the restaurant is limited to two people per table subject to physical distancing.”

As for public transportation, he said capacity for taxis and e-hailing services, including private vehicles, will be increased to three people including the driver.

“Night markets, farmers’ markets and weekly markets will also be allowed to operate in accordance with current SOP.

“Beauty salons will allowed to operate during phase 3 in compliance with SOP that has been set.” – June 27, 2021.