News have finally arrived that we’re now allowed to resume (somewhat) the beautiful life we once lived beginning the 4th of May 2020 but don’t be too quick to celebrate. The National Security Council (NSC) has set some guidelines as to where you can go and the types of businesses that can resume; one they say will be updated from time to time.
First off, interstate travel is still not allowed so for those hoping to make the trip back to their hometowns for the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, it would be wise to put your plans on hold indefinitely. Exceptions will be made for those who need to travel for work and those stuck in their hometowns or campuses when the Movement Control Order (MCO) first came into effect.
School, colleges and other higher learning institutions will still be closed. Outdoor activities which do not involve physical contact and group gatherings of more than 10 people such as jogging, cycling, badminton and golf are allowed. All religious activities, Friday prayers and gatherings at the Mosque, Surau and other places of worship are still not allowed.
As most would likely return to work, the Government has urged employers to coordinate their employee’s schedules to avoid large crowds. For the same reason, nurseries will be allowed to operate under strict guidelines. There is however still no word on whether we can travel beyond 10 pm.
As for the rest, the NSC has released a set of guidelines of what you still can’t do which we have translated for you, in hopes that you’d adhere to it and continue to keep the curve flat and eventually bend it, all in the name of mankind’s survival.
- Entertainment and Recreational
Cinema
Karaoke centres
Theme parks
Museums
Busking - Celebrations, Processions and Gatherings
Religious processions
Congregations at the Mosque or other places of worship
Procession of security forces
Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations except with close family members - Conferences and Exhibitions
Job fairs
Wedding expo
Travel fairs
Sales carnivals
All conferences involving large gatherings - Education
Sports during school sessions
Close contact co-curricular activities
Any form of assemblies
Any form of gatherings involving more than 10 individuals - Sports
Sporting events involving large group of spectators
All indoor sports activities including gyms
Swimming
Contact Sports - Social Activities
Parties and events
Weddings and anniversary celebrations - Transport
Cruise ships - Food stalls, grocery stores, wet markets
Ramadhan bazaars
Hari Raya bazaars - Staff quarters and hostels in Manufacturing and other sectors
Accepting visitors
Socialising and group sports activities
Congregational prayers - Assembly and maintenance of machineries
Working in groups of more than 10 individuals - Clothing and fashion accessory stores
Trying clothes in fitting rooms - Dobi and Laundrettes
Folding services - Lectures, seminars, courses, face-to-face training sessions
- “Certification ceremonies” in the agriculture sector
- Hair salons and beauty parlors
- Banking and financial sector
Sales and marketing activities outside of the official premises or in public spaces - Forestry
Eco tourism
Training sessions - Mining and quarries
New procedures in handling explosives? Please refer with NSC, BM to English translations can be confusing. - Farming and Agriculture
Client meetings
Farming supply sales
Fruit festivals
Courses and seminars
Convocations in agriculture institutes
Large scale poultry sales - Fishery
Recreational fishing
Activities at marine parks, exhibitions and aquariums - Creative industry
Filming activities
Concerts and events involving large gatherings in public areas - Arts and Culture
Exhibitions with interactions between artist and visitors - Travel and Lodging
Barred hotel facilities – Surau, gym, spa, sauna, lounge, meeting rooms, swimming pool, multi purpose halls, training rooms, restaurants and cafes