PEOPLE using sports facilities under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) are prohibited from sharing drinks, food, clothing, towels and personal equipment, said Youth and Sports Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

He also said that under the standard operating procedures implemented by the government, people must download the MySejahtera app to their mobile phone to enable contact tracing.

“They are also prevented from shaking hands with another and must reduce social interaction.

“We also want to discourage children under 12 and people with disabilities (OKU) from taking part in these activities,” he said in a press conference in Putrajaya today.

The government earlier today announced that it would allow gyms, indoor sports venues and snooker halls to resume operations from June 15 under the RMCO, for non-contact sports and pastimes.

This includes badminton, athletics and motorsports, as well recreational activities like yoga and aerobics.

In explaining the SOPs, Reezal said management of sports facilities must also seek approval from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) through its website before reopening for business.

“Opening will be approved upon completion of the notice and will commence from June 15 to give operators some time to plan and prepare,” he said.

He added that details of the SOPs will be published at a later date.

“The National Security Council, and the Youth and Sports Ministry will upload the latest SOPs today or in the near future for reference.

“There are 12 conditions for the general individual protocol and 18 conditions for general management protocol,” he said.

He added that operators must, among others, prepare internal procedures to prevent Covid-19 transmission and control the number of employees and users at one time according to the size of the premises.

Beside this, he said the equipment must be cleaned and disinfected before and after use, limit the number of individuals in the shower or changing room at a time, and cleaning and disinfection of premises/equipment according to frequency of usage. – June 8, 2020.