By Sharifah Batrisyia
GOMBAK, 16 June 2021: A four-phase of National Recovery Plan was introduced by Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that will decide the state of the nation’s normalcy by the end of this year.
“Each phase will see more restrictions towards economic activities and the social sector ease up as each of these thresholds reach a more satisfactory level, with the fourth and final phase expected to be imposed only towards the end of the year,” he said during the live speech that was broadcast over the national television on Tuesday (15 June).
Malaysia is currently in Phase One where implementation of a nationwide movement control order (MCO) that is in effect now with COVID-19 cases numbers are still high. The nation is expected to enter Phase Two by July if new cases dip to under 4,000 and the vaccination rates reach 10 percent.
“In Phase One, only essential services are allowed to operate while all social sectors and activities are barred, while Phase Two will see several more economic sectors such as the manufacturing industry allowed to operate with up to 80 per cent capacity.”
The required threshold for Phase 3 is 2,000 and below COVID-19 cases and at least 20 per cent of the population already inoculated with their second vaccine doses. Phase 3 is predicted to be introduced by the end of August.
“All economic sectors excluding high-risk activities such as nightclubs, pubs, conventions and beauty salons will be allowed to operate with the 80 per cent maximum capacity, social activities including education and certain sporting activities can resume in stages.”
The last and the fourth phase of National Recovery Plan can begin to move once the daily COVID-19 numbers drop below 500-cases mark and at least 60 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. In this phase, all economic sectors are allowed to operate, interstate travel will be allowed and domestic tourism will also be reopened while being subjected to tight SOPs.
“This Phase can be implemented when COVID-19 case numbers are low, the public health system is at a safe level and the vaccination programme has achieved herd immunity latest by the end of this year,” the Prime Minister said.***