PUTRAJAYA, September 29 – Alhamdulillah, Malaysia continues to record a declining trend for the R-naught rate of COVID-19. Yesterday, R-naught for the whole country recorded a value of 0.88 and the admission of COVID-19 patients to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) also showed a declining trend. Based on R-naught which remains below 1.0, the government is confident that the daily projection of new cases of COVID-19 infection will continue to record a declining trend with the cooperation of Malaysian Families complying with SOPs despite the number of daily COVID-19 infection cases showing uncertainty.
Yesterday, September 28, 2021, the National COVID-19 Immunization Program (PICK) recorded a rate of 85.1 percent of the fully vaccinated adult population. At the same time, the National Adolescent COVID-19 Immunization Program (PICK Adolescent) received encouraging response, with a total of 1,217,386 doses of vaccine being given to adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. This development is in line with the government’s goal of wanting as many students as possible to receive complete vaccinations before the opening of the school session in stages starting next October.
As I announced on September 22, the government will allow cross -state movement when the complete vaccination rate of the adult population reaches 90 percent. The government will also consider more economic sectors to return to normal operations to enable the people to continue living better after being closed for so long. The Pandemic Management Special Committee meeting today, Wednesday, September 29, 2021, agreed to allow a phase shift for the following states effective October 1, 2021:
• Klang Valley: From Phase 2 to Phase 3 (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor)
• Melaka: From Phase 2 to Phase 3
• Kedah: From Phase 1 to Phase 2
This phase transition was made after taking into account the current risk assessment by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and the National Security Council (NSC). Based on the committee’s decision that allowed the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 for the state of Kedah, it means that no more states are in Phase 1 in the whole country. I would like to express my deepest appreciation and congratulations to all Malaysian Families, especially the state governments who are working hard to manage the pandemic situation in their respective states, in order to meet the threshold values set. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for states entering phases 2, 3 and 4, are the same as before. The latest SOP information will be updated by MKN on the website www.mkn.gov.my.
The Pandemic Management Special Committee meeting also made the following resolutions:
1. Official government and private functions including inaugurations and workshops, are allowed in Phase 2 and Phase 3 states, provided guests have received complete vaccinations and 50% capacity of the premises space, while 100% full capacity for Phase 4. For unvaccinated individuals, need to undergo a pre-event test using a self-test kit (saliva) before attending witnessed by the organizer or confirmation from a medical practitioner.
2. Opening of skills training sector and industrial training centers including vocational colleges, TVET and others in all phases in compliance with SOPs in line with the opening of institutes of higher learning (IPT) effective 15 October 2021.
3. Allow the presence of spectators/supporters to sports and recreational venues in the state Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. This attendance includes before, during and after sports and recreational events provided, spectators/supporters have received complete vaccinations, wear masks face throughout the match as well as no eating and drinking activities while in the stadium. Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to watch the match at the venue of the sporting event.
Further information on the SOPs for this new relaxation can be found on the official websites of the ministries involved and www.mkn.gov.my. In addition, the government takes seriously the issue of a handful of individuals leaving their homes despite undergoing a Home Surveillance and Observation Order (HSO). Individuals found guilty, will be subject to stern action. This irresponsible action can invite security risks to the community as well as affect the government’s efforts to deal with this epidemic.
Although the government has given flexibility, I hope that the people can continue to abide by the SOPs set in the effort to break the COVID-19 chain. The country is now heading into an endemic phase where we will continue to live with COVID-19 in a new norm life. Malaysian Family Cooperation is highly expected to continue to practice self -control, keep clean for personal safety.
