THE government anticipates that most states will move into phase four or the final phase of the national recovery plan (NRP) by October at the earliest, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said during his speech at parliament today.

The prime minister said that this projection is based on the country’s vaccination plan and the risk assessment that is carried out on each state in terms of its readiness to move to the next phase of the NRP.

“I would like to explain that the government had decided, during the special meeting of the National Security Council, that for states which are already in Phase Two, will not return to Phase One and the states which have moved into Phase Three, will not go back to Phase Two.

“This is because the PPN approach emphasises on exit strategy and no turning back,” he said.

The NRP, which was announced on June 15, sets out four transition phases, which entail a gradual easing of movement restrictions that involve the opening of economic and social activities in stages. 

The key indicators for a state to progress to the next phase are the number of daily Covid-19 cases, bed occupancy at the intensive care units, and the percentage of the fully-vaccinated adult population.

So far, eight states have moved on to phase two of the NRP, namely Perlis, Perak, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, and Sarawak.

Muhyiddin said that in the event of a rise in infections in phase 2 states, the government will impose stricter movement control regulations in the affected localities without a blanket state or district-wide movement restriction.

“We plan, but surely, Allah is the best of planners,” he said. – Bernama, July 26, 2021.