MUSICIANS are all geared up to take to the stage again as live entertainment will be allowed beginning May 15.

They hope that any changes or additions to the standard operating procedure (SOP) would be given early to help them prepare better before the live entertainment starts.

Malaysian Artistes Association (Karyawan) president Freddie Fernandez hopes the SOP will be released soon.

“As long as we get it (SOP) a few days before opening, I believe everyone should be able to adhere to it,” Fernandez told The Malaysian Insight.

“We hope to get it soon so that we can prepare and inform our members accordingly.”

He said they are also ready to assist the authorities in drafting the guidelines.

“We can assist them (authorities), but if they think it is not necessary, then we are also all right with that. We are willing to help out if needed.”

On April 27, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said nightclubs can open from May 15 as they will be taken off the negative list.

He said there will no longer be any prohibited economic sectors from mid-May.

“Anything that previously did not meet the National Security Council’s standard operating procedure will be dropped,” he said.

“Agencies are preparing protocols for reopening.”

Fernandez said since the onset of the Covid-19 epidemic, players in the music industry have been facing many challenges.

He said about 3,000 musicians and entertainers are affected, and if they were to include sound engineers, artists, music crews and DJs, then the figure could reach 5,000.

Fernandez believes that there is not going to be drastic changes to the existing SOP.

“We are ready to abide by whatever guidelines that are declared,” he said.

“We hope that all musicians and patrons alike will follow the SOP so that there will be no cause for concern.”

He said they are pleased that the authorities have considered their appeal.

“It’s great news for everyone in the industry. We are all eager to get back to work again,” he said.

“There is a lot of good and positive vibes in the industry now.”

Fernandez hopes that entertainment outlets will bring back live music so that the musicians can get back to earning a living.

“This is also to ensure they can make use of their talent, which they were unable to do so for the last two years,” he said.

“We hope everything will be back to normal quickly.” – May 6, 2022.