OWNERS of indoor sports facilities such as gyms, badminton courts and snooker halls are allowed to resume operations starting June 15, said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Speaking to the press in Putrajaya, Ismail Sabri said operators can register on the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s website for approval.

“They have to fill up the form so we can trace them,” he said, adding that the list extends to other non-contact sports, such as motorsports, athletics and yoga.

“We also allow solo training. For example, if you need to practise silat, taekwondo or karate, you can do it alone but not in a group. As long as there is no contact,” he added.

Ismail Sabri reiterated that contact sports like football, rugby and hockey are prohibited, as are water sports.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday that group sports would be allowed to resume as long as it did not involve bodily contact.

Among the examples he gave were bowling, badminton, archery, shooting, and other similar sports.

The government has also allowed recreational activities such as fishing, including at commercial ponds and indoor busking.

Restrictions will be eased June 10 onwards under the recovery movement control order, after almost three months of strict rules to curb the spread of Covid-19. – June 8, 2020.