Ismail Sabri Details What Future Phases Of Lockdown Will Entail

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Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today detailed what future phases of lockdown will entail but reiterated that the country was not ready to move ahead yet.
He echoed Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's announcement that Phase 1 (total lockdown) will continue indefinitely until the three criteria are met - under 4,000 average daily new Covid-19 cases, ICU capacity eases and at least 10 percent of the population is vaccinated.
Ismail (above), who is in charge of overseeing the overall standard operating procedures of the lockdown, said when the country is ready to move into Phase 2, it will entail more easing for the manufacturing sector.
He said this means the automotive, ceramic, furniture, rubber, iron and steel as well as cement sectors, will be allowed to operate.
Furthermore, Ismail said stationary, computer and telecommunications and electrical shops, as well as the car wash, barbers and saloons (hair cut only), will be allowed to operate under Phase 2.
He added that farmers' market and morning market will also be allowed to operate from 7am to 11am under Phase 2 but limited to vegetables, fruits, groceries, processed chicken, seafood and meat.
All recreational activities that do not involve physical touch will also be allowed.
However, it did not provide a timeline on when the country can move into Phase 2.
"The current situation still does not allow for a transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 when the graph of new Covid-19 cases is only just flattening," he said in a statement.
The government had expected to move into Phase 2 in July but this is now expected to be pushed back.
Under Phase 3, Ismail said all economic activities will be allowed to operate except for spas, pedicure and manicure centres, pubs and nightclubs.
He added that the interdistrict travel ban will also be lifted under Phase 3 but interstate travel restrictions will remain.
Dine-in will also be allowed but limited to two persons per table while night and other markets will be allowed to operate at normal hours.
Education institutions will also resume operations and house visitations will be allowed but limited to 10 persons at a time.
Intrastate tourism will resume while e-hailing and taxi capacity will be increased to three persons per vehicle.
Beauty salons and the creative industry will also be allowed to operate.
The government previously estimated that Phase 3 will start in September when Covid-19 cases dip under 2,000 a day.
But that timeline had been impacted by the indefinite Phase 1 due to persistently high Covid-19 cases.
Ismail said under Phase 4, almost all sectors will return to normal when the country achieves herd immunity. - Mkini

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