PETALING JAYA: Covid-19 restrictions will be eased starting Tuesday (Aug 10) for those who have been fully vaccinated, announces Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Prime Minister said that among the restrictions being lifted were inter-district and interstate travel for long-distance couples, and prayers in houses of worship as well as the ban on dine-ins (for states under Phase Two and above of the National Recovery Plan).
Muhyiddin also said the Covid-19 digital vaccination certification will be used to verify an individual's immunisation status to the authorities.
He explained that individuals would be considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second dose of either the Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Sinovac vaccines, and 28 days after being jabbed with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson or CanSino vaccines.
Parents who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to travel across borders and states to meet with the children below 18-years-old, he added.
Long-distance married couples who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to travel across districts and states to meet each other, he said.
He said individuals who wanted to travel across borders must show their digital Covid-19 vaccination certificate to enforcement officers manning roadblocks.
At the same time, Muhyiddin also said that for all states, fully-vaccinated Muslims will be allowed to perform solat prayers in mosques and suraus.
Mosque and surau authorities must ensure that SOPs are strictly adhered to at all times and Muslims who come for solat prayers must show their digital Covid-19 vaccination certificate.
He also said the same applies to non-Muslims, where they will be allowed to visit their respective places of worship.
"The implementation of this at non-Muslim places of worship is subjected to the purview of the respective state religious authority and also the National Unity Ministry."
Muhyiddin also advised Malaysians to only dine-in when they need to, and choose premises with good ventilation systems.
"I would also like to propose to food premises operators to prepare more outdoor eating spaces in order to ensure good ventilation.
"We understand that the risks of spreading Covid-19 is high in indoor premises compared to outdoors."
Muhyiddin also said married couples who were fully vaccinated and would like to bring their children below the age of 17 along for dine-ins must strictly abide by the SOPs.
The Prime Minister also said sports without physical contact and recreational activities would be allowed in states under Phase Two of the NRP onwards from 6am to 10pm at outdoor and half-indoor areas.
Dine-ins at restaurants or cafes at clubhouse premises will be also be allowed and customers must show their digital vaccination certificate to verify immunisation status.
However, Muhyiddin said changing rooms and showers at clubhouse premises will not be allowed, in order to avoid groups gathering after sports which could cause the transmission of Covid-19.
The allowed sporting activities include jogging, exercising, taichi, cycling, skateboarding, fishing, equestrian, archery, hiking, singles tennis and badminton and golf, among others.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin also said tourism activities involving homestays and hotels within the same state will be allowed.
"Homestay and hotel operators must ensure that those patronising their premises must show the digital Covid-19 certification to prove that they are fully vaccinated," he added.
Muhyiddin also said more details would be announced soon by the National Security Council (NSC).
He also said further easing of restrictions on economic sectors were currently being mulled by the government, and an announcement will soon be made.
Muhyiddin stressed that the loosened restrictions did not mean Malaysians can ignore SOPs to curb Covid-19, as there is still a high risk of contracting Covid-19 through dine-ins and sporting activities.
He said he has ordered the relevant ministries and agencies to ensure strict enforcement of SOP compliance in order to avoid Covid-19 infections.
"The government will not hesitate to retract all the loosened restrictions announced if there is non-compliance with the SOPs," he added.
If there were new infections at these premises, Muhyiddin said the Health Ministry will immediately take appropriate action such as risk assessment, which could lead to the closure of the said premises or compound notices to be issued.
Muhyiddin also stressed that Malaysians have a collective responsibility in combating Covid-19.
"The loosened restrictions are proof that the government is confident that Malaysians who received full vaccination doses can make their own risk assessment rationally.
"God-willing, we will win together," he said.
All states are under Phase 2 and beyond of the NRP except for Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Johor, Malacca and Putrajaya.
Muhyiddin also said fully-vaccinated travellers from overseas coming to Malaysia, including Malaysians returning from abroad, will be allowed to self-quarantine at home.
Below is the full speech by the Prime Minister:
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