Thanks for allowing us to open, business groups tell govt

KUALA LUMPUR – A group of business associations voiced its appreciation to the federal government for allowing 11 more retail-related sectors to reopen effective tomorrow.

The group in a joint statement today also reiterated its call for an expeditious review on other customer- and service-related sectors.

“We believe that many other business sectors – especially ones allowed to open under Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan – share the same safety levels, and deserve to be permitted to operate. Thus, we call for an expeditious review and look forward to more good news soon.

“Businesses that are able to check and admit only customers who are fully vaccinated – especially ones that are ticketed and gate-controlled, such as cinemas and theme parks – are suitable for immediate opening.”

For frequented public areas like shopping malls, the group said strict crowd control should be maintained, with admittance made for visitors who are confirmed “low risk” or “casual contact-no symptom” on MySejahtera, and with temperatures below 37.5°C.

The seven associations stressed that all businesses allowed to reopen from tomorrow must check the vaccination status of each visitor on MySejahtera and admit only those who are fully vaccinated.

The statement was jointly signed by Malaysia Retailers Association, Malaysia Retail Chain Association, Malaysia Shopping Malls Association, Bumiputera Retailers Organisation, Malaysia REIT Managers Association, Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors, and Malaysian Association of Theme Park and Family Attractions.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had announced that 11 economic sectors in Phase 1 states will reopen tomorrow, including barbershops and hair salons, car wash centres, furniture outlets, vehicle accessory shops, as well as clothing and jewellery stores.

The other sectors are car distribution and sales outlets, electrical and electronics shops, sporting goods stores, fashion accessory shops, household and kitchen appliance stores, and morning and farmers’ markets. – The Vibes, August 15, 2021