Tag Archives: Factory

Was Human Meat Found In McDonald’s Factories?!

Did US meat inspectors find human meat in several McDonald’s factories across the United States?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Human Meat Found In McDonald’s Factories!

People are sharing a video which purportedly shows meat inspectors discovering human meat in McDonald’s factories across the United States. Here is a transcript of the video :

Oklahoma City – first, horse meat, then the mysterious “pink slime”. Now, human meat?

A shocking discovery has been made in an Oklahoma City McDonald’s meat factory and other McDonald’s meat factories nationwide.

Recommended : Are Rohingyas using chemicals to freshen old vegetables to sell?!

Truth : No Human Meat Was Ever Found In McDonald’s Factories!

This is another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on social media and WhatsApp groups, and here are the reasons why….

Fact #1 : No Human Meat Was Ever Found In McDonald’s Factories

Let me be very clear – no human meat was ever found in McDonald’s factories or restaurants.

If this actually happened, it would have been worldwide news, and McDonald’s would have been shut down for good. Many McDonald’s executives and their suppliers would also face criminal charges.

Yet, there has been ZERO mention of this on any legitimate news website. There is also no mention of such an incredible find in any USDA or FBI press releases.

Needless to say, McDonald’s factories and restaurants continue to operate normally. That’s because this never happened. No human meat was ever found in McDonald’s factories or restaurants.

Fact #2 : Human Meat Patty Picture Was From Resident Evil 6 Promo!

The pictures of “human meat” used in the fake video was misappropriated from a Resident Evil 6 promo in London.

Back in September 2012, Capcom created a pop-up butchery called Wesker & Son (Wholesale Meats) in Smithfield Meat Market.

Once at the butchery, members of the public will be invited to sample and purchase a dizzying array of edible human limbs including hands, feet and a human head, which will be available to buy directly from the shop.

As well as these specially created products, gamers will be able to buy ‘Peppered Human & Lemon Sausages’ and ‘J’avo Caught Human Thigh Steaks’ along with some specially made pots of Red Herb and Green Herb.

All proceeds from the sale of the meat will be donated to the Limbless Association, which provides information and support to the limb-loss community.

Recommended : Does Steaming Food Cause Cancer From Chlorine?!

Fact #3 : Story Was Created By A Fake News Website

This fake story created by a content aggregation (copy and paste) website called Huzlers, that also creates fake stories to go viral. This particular Huzlers article was written by Pablo Reyes Jr, and published on April 7, 2014 – more than 9 years ago!

To give their fake story a “veneer of satire”, they added a tagline below the writer’s name – “Believe half of what you see and nothing you read online“.

The truth is – they intentionally created the fake story to trigger you into sharing their article, so they can go viral and make money from the increased page views.

Fact #4 : McDonald’s Sells Billions Of Burgers Every Year

Let me just point out that McDonald’s sells over a billion pounds of meat every year, just in the United States. That means their suppliers have to slaughter thousands of cows every day to keep up with the demand.

Children are much smaller than cows. Those suppliers would need to slaughter tens of thousands of children a day to replace the cows. Does that really make sense to you?

The American continent would run out of children to slaughter within a year! And how does killing children for burgers make economic sense, never mind common sense?

Recommended : Can Bak Kut Teh Herbal Soup Cause Liver Damage?!

Fact #5 : Pink Slime No Longer Used In McDonald’s Food

The fake story and video used a picture of pink slime, claiming that it was also used in McDonald’s foods.

That’s also false, because by the time the fake story was written (in 2014), McDonald’s stopped using “pink slime”, which is really Lean Finely Textured Beef (LFTB).

Q : Have you ever used so-called ‘pink slime’ in your burgers?

A : Yes, we used Lean Finely Textured Beef between 2004 and 2011. We do not use this today.

Despite its gross sounding name and look, LFTB is simply beef that has been separated from the fat in beef trimmings. LFTB technology recovers meat that would otherwise be wasted and thrown away.

Think of LFTB as low-fat beef paste. Regular ground beef consists of about 30% fat, while LFTB only has about 5% fat.

Fact #6 : Pink Slime Picture Not From McDonald’s Factory

The picture used in the fake story and video isn’t from a McDonald’s factory. However, it should be pointed out that LFTB looks like that – pink-coloured paste.

The pink colour comes from the ammonia hydroxide – an antimicrobial agent used to treat LFTB and prevent bacterial growth.

Fact #7 : Ammonia In LFTB Isn’t Toxic

Even though McDonald’s no longer uses “pink slime” in their burgers, I should point out that the amount of ammonia used in LFTB isn’t dangerous.

The amount of ammonia present in Lean Finely Textured Beef (LFTB) is actually comparable to ammonia levels present in existing foods :

Food Ammonia Level
American Cheese 813 ppm
Unblended LFTB 400-500 ppm
Ketchup 411 ppm
Onions 342 ppm
Blended Beef Patty
with 15% LFTB
200 ppm
Ground Beef 101 ppm

Everything published by Huzlers should be regarded as FAKE NEWS, until proven otherwise.

Please help us fight fake news websites like Huzlers – SHARE this fact check out, and SUPPORT our work!

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Apple To Move MORE iPhone Production Out Of China!

Apple has accelerated its plans to leave Zhengzhou in China, where the massive iPhone City manufacturing zone is located!

 

Apple To Move MORE iPhone Production Out Of China!

As anti-government protests continue across China, Apple is accelerating its plans to leave Zhengzhou – where the massive iPhone City manufacturing zone is located!

Apple CEO Tim Cook is now eyeing Vietnam and India as new manufacturing hubs to replace Zhengzhou, where Foxconn workers earlier fled amidst repeated protests.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple now plans to move to 45% of iPhone production to factories in India, and ramp up production of its MacBooks, Apple Watches and AirPods in Vietnam.

Those moves come with serious challenges as Apple faces having to deal with different regional government bureaucracies in India.

Meanwhile, Vietnam only has 10% of China’s population, and can only handle a 60,000 person factory – far smaller than the 300,000 person “iPhone City” in Zhengzhou.

So Apple is still considering switching to other suppliers in China – Luxshare Precision Industry Co. and Wingtech Technology Co., although these alternate plans may be jeopardised by the Chinese government’s persistence with its Zero COVID policy.

Read more : China Lifts Some COVID-19 Restrictions Over Protests!

 

Apple Earlier Planned To Move iPhone Production Out Of China!

While Apple had been planning the move for months due to the Chinese government’s insistence on Zero COVID policy, the recent uprisings at its Zhengzhou manufacturing hub has accelerated those plans.

In November, iPhone City in Zhengzhou erupted in violent protests by Foxconn employees over strict Zero COVID policies and pay disputes, prompting a lockdown.

This forced Foxconn to offer $1,400 to quit their jobs, and later, a $1,800 bonus to stay. Even so, manufacturing at Zhengzhou is down to about 20% of its capacity.

Foxconn has tried to shift some of its production to its Shenzhen factory, but it cannot make up the shortfall, which is reported to be as much as 6 million iPhone Pro smartphones.

Things got so bad the Chinese government even called on military veterans and CCP members to work at the iPhone City factories as volunteers!

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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China Lifts Some COVID-19 Restrictions Over Protests!

China abruptly lifted COVID-19 restrictions in several Chinese cities, after large protests erupted in at least seventeen cities.

 

China Lifts Some COVID-19 Restrictions Over Protests

The CCP government of China has been cracking down on protests that have spread to at least seventeen cities, but its resolve appear to have cracked a little.

The authorities in the major cities of Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Zhengzhou abruptly lifted COVID-19 lockdown measures and restrictions.

On Wednesday afternoon, 30 November 2022, Chinese authorities announced the lifting of lockdowns in four districts in Guangzhou, and instructed local officials to remove “temporary control orders” and to predesignate those areas as “low risk”. They also announced an end to mass PCR testing for COVID-19.

Both Guangzhou and Chongqing also announced that close contacts of COVID-19 positive people will be allowed to quarantine at home instead of being forcibly taken to a quarantine centre, subject to certain conditions.

Shanghai – China’s largest and most affluent city, announced that the lockdown of 24 high-risk areas across 11 of its districts would be lifted on Thursday, 1 December 2022.

The city of Zhengzhou – the location of the massive iPhone factory and earlier protests, announced the “orderly” resumption of business, including markets, supermark1ets, restaurants and cinemas. While lifting COVID-19 restrictions in general, they published a list of buildings that would remain under lockdown.

Read more : How Apple Helps China Limit Protests Using AirDrop!

 

China Could Quietly Kill Zero COVID Policy Over Protests

China could be preparing to quietly “kill” its Zero COVID policy that had been the hallmark “achievement” of President Xi Jinping.

On Wednesday, 30 November 2022, Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan – China’s most senior official in charge of its COVID-19 response, told health officials that the country faced “a new stage and mission” in pandemic control.

She noticeably did not mention the Zero COVID policy, but said that the National Health Commission (NHC) should take a “human-centred approach”, in an apparent nod to the anti-government protests that have wracked multiple Chinese cities.

Sun also called for China to enhance its “diagnosis, testing, treatment and quarantine” measures, while boosting vaccination rates especially for its senior citizens, and beef up medication and medical resources.

This appears to suggest that the Chinese authorities are at least thinking of further loosening its strict Zero COVID measures, if not killing it completely.

Read more : iPhone Factory Under Lockdown, As Employees Flee!

Her comments come a day after top Chinese health officials pledged to change COVID-19 control measures to reduce their impact on people’s lives.

Chinese National Health Commission (NHC) officials said that lockdowns to suppress the spread of COVID-19 should be lifted “as quickly as possible” during outbreaks.

Cheng Youquan – a director at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that some control measures were implemented “excessively” by local officials taking a “one size fits all” approach, without regard for people’s demands.

NHC officials also announced an “action plan’ to boost vaccination rates amongst the elderly, which would be necessary if China is to reopen the country.

As of November 28, about 90% of Chinese population received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, but only 66% of people over 80 have done so. A very high vaccination rate is critical, because Chinese vaccines have much lower efficacy than Western vaccines.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

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iPhone Factory Under Lockdown, As Employees Flee!

The massive iPhone factory in Zhengzhou is now under another COVID-19 lockdown, after thousands of employees fled!

 

iPhone Factory Now Under COVID-19 Lockdown!

On Wednesday, 2 November 2022, China placed the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone under a new COVID-19 lockdown. This is where Foxconn has its largest iPhone factory, employing about 200,000 workers

The Zhengzhou industrial zone, located in the Henan province, was placed under “silent management” measures with immediate effect, and last for one week – until November 9, 2022.

  • all residents are barred from going out
  • only approved vehicles are allowed on the road

Foxconn said in a statement that its campus will continue operating under a “closed loop” management system, in which employees sleep, live and work in a bubble, isolated from the rest of Zhengzhou and the world.

A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that such a lockdown could cut production of Apple iPhones by as much as 30%, and that Foxconn was working to boost production at their Shenzhen factory to make up for the shortfall.

Read more : Apple Freezes Use Of China’s YMTC NAND Chips!

 

Employees Have Been Fleeing iPhone Factory For Days!

For several days now, Foxconn employees have been fleeing the Zhengzhou factory, after some workers were placed under quarantine following a COVID-19 outbreak.

The Foxconn employees also complained of poor food quality, and a lack of medical care for those who tested positive.

On Sunday, 30 October, Foxconn said that it would not stop them from leaving, and many workers chose to walk back to their hometowns.

Videos of those employees climbing over fences, and walking away from the factory went viral. So did photos and videos of those Foxconn workers trekking across fields in the day, and long roads at night.

Some people were walking amid wheat fields with their luggage, blankets and quilt. I couldn’t help but feel sad.

Those videos galvanised volunteers from nearby villages to put out food and drinks for the workers. Foxconn and several local governments finally arranged transportation for them.

Workers who were transported back to their hometowns were quarantined on arrival. A belated measure that should have been initiated earlier.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Indonesia Bans Sale Of Cough Syrups + Liquid Meds!

Indonesia has stopped the sale of all medical and cough syrups, and liquid medication after 99 children died, amidst an unexplained spike in acute kidney injuries.

 

Indonesia Bans Sale Of Cough Syrups + Liquid Meds!

On Thursday, October 20, 2022, Indonesia banned the sale of all syrup and liquid medication, including cough syrups.

This decision follows the deaths of 99 children, and 206 cases of acute kidney injuries in children, mostly under 6 years of age.

As a precaution, the ministry has asked health workers in health facilities not to prescribe liquid medicine or syrup temporarily.

We also ask that drug stores temporarily stop all sales of non-prescription liquid medicine or syrup until our investigations are completed.

– Indonesia Health Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Syahril

Read more : Truth About FDA Import Alert 99-33 On Japanese Food!

 

Indonesia Ban Of Cough Syrups + Liquid Meds : What’s Going On?!

Just a week ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) linked four cough syrups made in India to the deaths of more than 60 children who suffered acute kidney failure in The Gambia, West Africa.

WHO suspected that the four cough syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited of India, contained “unacceptable amounts” of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can damage the brain, lungs, liver and kidneys.

India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organizatio immediately shut down Maiden Pharmaceuticals’ factory in New Delhi where these cough syrups were made.

In view of the seriousness of the contraventions observed during the investigation and its potential risk to the quality, safety and efficacy of the drugs being produced, all the manufacturing activities of the firm (are) being stopped with immediate effect.

The cough syrups that killed so many children in The Gambia though were not sold in Indonesia, according to the Indonesian food and drugs agency.

However, Indonesian Health Ministry Budi Gunadi Sadikin said today (Thursday, October 20) that the same toxic substances – diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol – were detected in syrups found in the homes of some of the affected children.

He added that the number of acute kidney failure cases could be higher than reported, so his health ministry was taking the conservative approach by banning the sale of all medical syrups and liquid medication.

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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US To Block New Advanced Chip Fabs In China!

The US aims to block the construction of new advanced chip fabs in China and countries of concern like Russia.

Here is what you need to know…

 

US To Fund Building Of Advanced Chip Fabs!

The US Congress just passed the historic CHIPS and Science Act (HR 4346) – a massive $280 billion bill designed to bolster innovation and tech hubs in the United States.

The legislation passed with a Senate vote of 64-33, and a House vote of 243-187, approving :

  • $76 billion of funding to revive and boost chip production in the United States
  • $81 billion for the National Science Foundation over 5 years, for research, equipment and STEM education
  • Almost $10 billion for the National Institute of Standards and Technology

TSMC, Intel and Samsung are expected to benefit from the billions of dollars of funding, which would subsidise their construction of new advanced chip fabs in the United States.

Read more : AMD, NVIDIA Banned From Selling AI Chips To China!

 

US To Block New Advanced Chip Fabs In China!

There is however a big caveat in the legislation that the White House is expected to sign – any company that receives funding will be barred from building new advanced chip fabs in China and other countries of concern, like Russia.

The CHIPS and Sciences Act specifically bars companies that receive federal funding from “materially expanding” production of chips more advanced than 28 nanometres (28 nm) in countries of concern like China and Russia, for 10 years.

28 nm chips are not state-of-art, with production first starting more than 10 years ago – in 2011. However, they are still used in many applications, and China is free to keep producing these chips.

This move though will essentially limit development of advanced chips in China, by blocking foreign chipmakers from investing in more advanced fabs.

Intel had earlier lobbied hard against this move. In late 2021, Intel wanted to expand production in China but was pressured to sell its Dalian wafer plant to South Korea’s SK Hynix. Intel now only has chip packaging and testing facilities in China.

But that changed, and now Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger is a big proponent of the bill, even suggesting that it might forego building its Ohio mega fab and shift it to Europe if the legislation did not pass.

Read more : China Bans Taiwan Food Over Pelosi, But Not Chips!

Currently, the only semiconductor companies investing in fabs in China are Samsung and TSMC. So if they choose to accept US funding, both companies will have to stop building fabs that can produce chips that are more advanced than 28 nm.

Of the potential recipients of US funding, TSMC is the only company making relatively advanced chips in China. Its Nanjing fabs currently make 28 nm and more advanced 16 nm chips.

Unless TSMC spurns US funding, it won’t be able to invest in more advanced fabs in China. This will force China to rely on its own SMIC to develop more advanced chipmaking technologies.

While SMIC has had some success with a 7nm process using older DUV technology, it came at the expense of yield and chip complexity.

Unless China is somehow able to develop its own EUV technology, it’s pretty much end game for more advanced chip production in China… for ten years.

Read more : Did China Make 7nm Chips In Spite Of US Sanctions?!

 

US Quietly Expands Chip Equipment Ban To Fabs In China

In addition to the looming CHIPS Act, the US government also expanded its ban on the sale of machines for fabricating advanced chips.

The US government had earlier banned the sale of tools that allow China to manufacture chips at 10 nm or smaller. That ban was just extended to include tools that would allow the manufacture of chips 14 nm or smaller.

American equipment makers like LAM Research and KLA Corp. have received letters about this expanded ban, which appears to be limited to logic chips (like computer processors), but not memory chips.

According to the US Commerce Department, the move was meant to impair China’s ability to manufacture advanced chips :

The Biden Administration is focused on impairing PRC efforts to manufacture advanced semiconductors to address significant national security risks to the United States.

However, this move appears to be merely officiating what is already being practiced – the US Commerce Department had already declined many licences to sell 14nm fab equipment.

The Biden Administration is also pushing the Netherlands and Japan to ban ASML Holdings NV and Nikon Corp from selling advanced chip making equipment to China.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Did China Make 7nm Chips In Spite Of US Sanctions?!

Did China successfully fabricate 7nm chips, despite US sanctions on advanced chip manufacturing technology?

Well, yes, but not quite. Here is what you need to know about China’s mysterious 7nm chips!

 

China Made 7nm Chips In Spite Of US Sanctions!

A TechInsights report recently concluded that China has successfully created 7nm chips since last year.

This caused quite a ruckus, because it essentially meant that China jumped two generations ahead in chip manufacturing technology!

The TechInsights team bought a MinerVa mining ASIC which used a custom chip that has been manufactured by China’s SMIC since July 2021.

When they examined the chip, they discovered that it was fabricated on a 7nm process that appears to be a “close copy” of a 7nm process used by TSMC – the Taiwanese foundry giant.

The MinerVa chip is small – at just 19.3 mm², with 120 chips populating the MinerVa board. Each mining ASIC has 3 of these boards, for a total of 360 chips and a total power consumption of 3300 watts.

This discovery is deeply concerning to many people, because it meant that China has more advanced chip manufacturing technology than is even available in the United States or EU.

After all, US sanctioned the sale of advanced chip manufacturing technology to China – which was meant to crippled China’s ability to manufacture such chips.

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer used this report to stress the danger of delaying the $50 billion subsidy package for semiconductor manufacturing in the United States.

Members of both sides know that America’s chips crisis is sending shock waves across the economy.

It is endangering our national security. […] China’s top chips maker has now likely advanced its tech by two generations, threatening U.S. competitiveness.

But the situation really isn’t as dire as many people make it out to be…

 

SMIC / China Barely Made Those 7nm Chips

After the report was released, the Internet fell into two main camps – American politicians and China hawks bemoaning the “loss” of Western chip making advantage, and pro-CCP netizens celebrating it.

First, let me start by congratulating China / SMIC on achieving this feat despite being hobbled by US sanctions on crucial chipmaking technology.

Whether China / SMIC “copied / stole / bought” the technology knowhow from TSMC whose 7nm process it closely resembles, it is still a remarkable achievement.

That said, SMIC / China barely made those 7nm chips, and here are the reasons why…

SMIC manufactured these 7nm chips using older Deep Ultraviolet Lithography (DUV) machines, instead of the state-of-art Extreme Ultraviolet Light (EUV) lithography machines made by Dutch company ASML.

This isn’t extraordinary in itself – TSMC and Samsung had much earlier developed 7nm process nodes using the older DUV machines. However, this comes at the cost of “increased process complexity and design rule restrictions“.

That is likely why the MinerVa chip is not only very small, it actually lacks SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) that is critical in processors that run our computers and smartphones.

The simpler design and small size allow SMIC to obtain sufficient workable chips, even with a poor yield. However, the cost of chip would be much higher than if it was manufactured on a higher-quality process.

So for all intents and purposes – this should be considered as a niche / prototype 7nm process, and not a true 7nm process node.

On top of that, SMIC apparently isn’t capable of producing large quantities of these 7nm chips, suggesting either a yield problem, or difficulty in scaling up.

MinerVa has not been able to deliver the mining ASICs based on these SMIC 7nm chips in large numbers. A Bitcoin mining company – Stronghold Digital Mining, for example, said that it ordered 15,000 miners from MinerVa but only received about 3,200 units as of March 2022.

For China / SMIC to present a true “threat” as far as chipmaking is concerned, it would have to be capable of manufacturing MILLIONS of chips, not thousands.

Regardless of whether the Americans are howling in despair, or the pro-CCP netizens are howling in delight, China really does not have true 7nm chipmaking capability for mass production yet.

And even if they somehow manage to improve and scale up this 7nm DUV process, they cannot make more advanced chips without EUV machines made by ASML.

As long as the Dutch government holds firm on blocking sale of ASML’s EUV machines to China, this is likely as far as they can go… unless they invade Taiwan, which is where TSMC is based and has the world’s most advanced chip manufacturing facilities.

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Malaysia Cancels Chicken Price Float, Maintains Water + Power Rates!

The Prime Minister of Malaysia just cancelled the floating of chicken price, and maintained water and electricity power rates!

Here is what you need to know…

 

Earlier : Malaysia Removes Price Control + Subsidy For Chicken!

On 21 June 2022, Malaysia’s Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, announced that price control for chicken and chicken eggs, as well as subsidies for palm oil used for cooking will be removed.

From 1 July 2022 onwards, the price of chicken was supposed to be floated, and would depend on market forces. The price of chicken was expected to increase from RM8.90 per kg currently, to about RM11.90 per kg, once its price was floated.

The government needed to remove the price control on chickens because they would stop giving subsidies to poultry farmers on 1 July 2022 as well.

Read more : Malaysia Removes Price Control, Subsidy For Chicken, Eggs, Cooking Oil!

 

Now : Malaysia Cancels Chicken Price Float, Maintains Water + Power Rates!

Just 3 days later, the Prime Minister of Malaysia announced a U-turn on removing price control on chickens.

At 5:45 PM on 24 June 2022, the Prime Minister of Malaysia Ismail Sabri announced that the government has cancelled the floating of chicken price, and will continue to impose a price ceiling.

However, this does not mean the chicken price will remain at its current ceiling prices of :

  • Standard whole chicken : RM 8.90 per kg
  • Super whole chicken (without legs, head, liver and gizzard) : RM 9.90 per kg

According to his official statement, the government will announce the new ceiling price for chicken later.

He also announced that the government has decided to maintain the current water and electricity tariffs in Peninsular Malaysia, by continuing to provide subsidies worth approximately RM 5.8 billion.

  • Domestic users : A rebate of 2 sen per kW-hour will be maintained, with no surcharge.
  • Commercial and industrial users : A surcharge of 3.70 sen per kW-hour will be maintained.

This is good news for domestic users, but not so good news for commercial and industrial users who have to put up with the surcharge.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Chipmakers Brace For Noble Gas Shortage, After Russia Cut Supply!

Chipmakers worldwide are bracing for a noble gas shortage, after Russia cut supplies! Here is what you need to know…

 

Chipmakers Brace For Noble Gas Shortage, After Russia Cut Supply!

On June 2, 2022, the Russian government issued a decree stating that export of noble gases will be subject to Moscow’s approval until December 31, based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

This effectively cuts or limits the export of critical noble gases to “unfriendly” countries, and was a direct response to the fifth round of sanctions imposed by the European Union in April.

Russia and Ukraine were leading producers of noble gases since the days of the Soviet Union, and jointly supplied about 30% of the chipmaking industry’s supply of neon gas.

Both countries were closely intertwined in their noble gas supply to the world. Russia produced raw neon gas as a byproduct of its steelworks, and sent it to Ukraine for purification. That ceased with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

 

How Badly Will Russia Noble Gas Cut Affect Chipmakers?

Noble gases like neon, argon, xenon and helium are critical in the production of microelectronics that power everything from computers to smartphones and cars.

Neon, in particular, plays a critical role in the optical lithographic process used to etch patterns on silicon wafers, creating circuits in semiconductor chips.

The state-of-the-art excimer pulsed laser used to create semiconductors, for example, requires an argon-fluorine-neon mixture, up to 95% of which is made up of exceptionally pure neon gas.

That’s why about 70% of the world’s supply of neon gas (about 540,000 tonnes) is used by the semiconductor industry.

Fortunately, Russia’s decision to cut noble gas supplies may have less impact that they assumed, because chipmakers prepared for such an eventuality.

The semiconductor industry used to rely on Ukraine and Russia for about 80% to 90% of their neon gas supply, but they started diversifying their noble gas supplies after Russia invaded and annexed Crimea in 2014.

Over the last 7-8 years, they managed to cut down their dependence on Ukraine and Russia to about 30%. And the industry generally maintains gas reserves that would last 3-6 months.

China is the main beneficiary of reduced noble gas supply from Russia. Since the war started, Chinese noble gas producers said that their daily order enquiries have jumped 5X to 6X.

For now, the semiconductor industry does not need to reduce production, but the reduced market supply will mean noble gas prices will remain elevated for some time to come.

Needless to say – this will increase the cost of semiconductors, the cost of which will be passed onto consumers.

 

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Exasperated Apple Shifts Some iPad Production Out Of China!

Apple has gotten so exasperated that they shifted some iPad production out of China for the first time!

Here is what we know so far…

 

Exasperated Apple Shifts Some iPad Production Out Of China!

Apple has reportedly shifted some of its iPad production out of China, over the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Shanghai.

Strict lockdowns in and around Shanghai after a surge in COVID-19 cases have led to months of supply chain disruptions for Apple, even though their factories operated in a closed loop.

Apple built production lines in Vietnam with the help of China’s BYD, and will “soon start to produce” some iPads there.

Apple had asked Foxconn to move iPad and MacBook Pro production from China to Vietnam in 2020, with plans to manufacture a significant proportion of iPads there. However, a COVID-19 surge in 2021 delayed those plans.

Even though China has started to lift their Zero COVID restrictions in Shanghai, Apple is unlikely to reverse these plans to shift production to Vietnam.

This will be the second major production line to shift to Vietnam. Apple shifted almost 30% of AirPods production to Vietnam in the second quarter of 2020.

 

Apple Also Asked Suppliers To Build Up Inventories

Apple also asked multiple component suppliers to build up their inventories, to prevent supply chain disruptions from affecting production.

One of the people with direct knowledge of this issue said :

For example, component supplier X has a 40% share of Apple’s business in Jiangsu Province, which is a risky region of supply chain disruption, and supplier Y in another city accounts for the remaining 60% share.

Apple would want supplier Y to build enough additional components to match supplier X’s 40% share in the coming months in case production in Jiangsu is shut down again.

If China continues with its Zero COVID policy, it is likely that Apple and other companies will seriously look at shifting more of their production to other countries.

Supplies of electronics from China’s factories have been severely impacted by their strict COVID-19 lockdowns, even though some factories are allowed to use a closed loop system.

There is also worker welfare to consider – there is only so much they can tolerate the closed loop system, where workers are restricted to factory campuses for weeks on end.

In early May, workers at the Quanta factory producing MacBook laptops in Shanghai rioted over the closed loop system, and fled the factory.

 

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Samsung Display To Finally Shut Down LCD Business!

Samsung Display will finally shut down its LCD business in June, closing a chapter in its history!

Here is what we know so far…

 

Samsung Display To Finally Shut Down LCD Business!

Samsung Display originally sought to close its LCD business in 2020, even selling its LCD plant in Suzhou to CSOT, a Chinese company owned by the TCL conglomerate.

Their original 2020 plan to shut down their LCD business was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a surge in LCD prices. Samsung decided to continue their business, until end of 2022. However, LCD prices have fallen rapidly recently, with price pressure from Chinese and Taiwanese rivals.

Its parent company, Samsung Electronics, was their largest buyer; but even it has agreed to purchase displays from Chinese and Taiwanese companies like BOE Technology Group and AU Optronics Corps.

 

Samsung Display To Finally Shut Down LCD Business!

In light of such challenging market conditions, Samsung Display decided to close its LCD business six months earlier.

From June 2022 onwards, Samsung Display will stop producing LCD panels used for large TV screens, and focus instead on manufacturing OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) and Quantum Dot displays.

Employees from its LCD display business are expected to be transferred to its Quantum Dot display business.

 

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Foxconn To Build New 12-Inch Wafer Fab In Malaysia!

Foxconn just announced that they will be building a 12-inch wafer fab in Malaysia!

Here is what you need to know…

 

Foxconn To Build New 12-Inch Wafer Fab In Malaysia!

On 17 May 2022, Foxconn announced that their wholly-owned subsidiary, Big Innovation Holdings Limited (BIH) will form a joint venture company with Dagang NeXchange Berhad (DNeX), to build and operate a new 12-inch wafer fabrication plant in Malaysia.

Both DNeX and BIH have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on build and operate the new 12-inch wafer fab.

Under the MOU, DNeX and BIH will work together to “decide the location of the New Fab in Malaysia, financing structure of the project, and initial management structure and key personnel of the New Fab.

The new fab is expected to produce 40,000 wafers a month, using 28-nanometer and 40-nanometer process technologies developed in 2011 and 2008 respectively.

The 28nm and 40nm process technologies are not new, but they are still in high demand for less complex chips used in industrial, consumer electronics and automotive applications.

 

New 12-Inch Foxconn Wafer Fab In Malaysia : Not A Done Deal

While this is exciting news for Malaysia, it is not a done deal. Both companies only signed a Memorandum of Understanding, not a contract.

There are no concrete details of where the wafer fab will be located, or how much Foxconn will invest. It is also unknown how many jobs this project would create.

One would do well to remember the $10 billion project that Foxconn announced with the Trump Administration in July 2017.

Foxconn was supposed to build and operate a 20-million square foot manufacturing campus in Wisconsin, that would build flat panel displays, and create 13,000 jobs, in return for $3 billion in subsidies.

In the end, that massive flat panel project was abandoned and downsized into a network operations and storage centre worth about $672 million, creating only 1,454 new jobs.

 

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Did China Lock Down Shanghai To Spite US Over Ukraine?!

Did China lock down Shanghai, not to fight COVID-19, but to spite US companies over the Ukraine war?

Take a look at the viral article, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : China Locked Down Shanghai To Spite US Over Ukraine War!

People are sharing an article by Kanthan Pillay, which claimed that China locked down Shanghai not to fight COVID-19 but to spite US companies over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It’s a rather long post, so feel free to skip to the next section for the facts…

Shanghai Lockdown Not Because Of Covid -19!!

Two weeks after Russia’s forces moved into Ukraine, China locked down Shanghai.

Let me hit you with some bullet points:

More than 800 multinational corporations have regional headquarters in Shanghai . Among them, 121 are Fortune Global 500 companies, including Apple, Qualcomm, General Motors, Pepsico.

More than 70 000 foreign companies have offices in Shanghai. More than 24 000 of these are Japanese.

 

Truth : China Did NOT Lock Down Shanghai To Spite US Over Ukraine War!

I have read many conspiracy theories about China and the Ukraine War, but this has to be one of the stupidest I have read to date.

I cannot believe I have to actually explain why China did not lock down Shanghai just to spite US companies over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

But here we go…

Fact #1 : China Has Been Locking Down Cities Since 2020

First, I should point out that China has been locking down cities since the COVID-19 pandemic started in Wuhan.

This isn’t a new tactic. China locks down entire cities as part of their COVID Zero policy.

In fact, China locked down 4 additional cities in the first two months of 2022, before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine :

  • 4 January : Yuzhou, Henan province
  • 11 January : Anyang and Zhengzhou, Henan province
  • 7 February : Baise, Jilin province

It is therefore ridiculous for Kanthan Pillay to claim that China locked down Shanghai to spite US companies.

Fact #2 : Shanghai’s COVID-19 Outbreak Began On 28 February

Ironically, Shanghai’s COVID-19 outbreak began on the same day Russia chose to invade Ukraine – 28 February 2022.

I’m surprised Kanthan Pillay did not suggest that the Chinese introduced the Shanghai outbreak as part of a false flag operation to spite US companies. LOL!

Fact #3 : Shanghai Lockdown Only Started A Month Later

Kanthan Pillay falsely claimed that China locked down Shanghai two weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine. Why two weeks? Why not immediately?

In any case, Shanghai only adopted “area-separated and batch-separated control” on 28 March 2022 – a month after their COVID-19 outbreak started, and a month after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Only a week later – on 5 April 2022, did Shanghai put the entire city under lockdown.

Read more : Did US Refuse WHO Investigation Of Fort Detrick?!

Fact #4 : Hong Kong Has More Regional HQs Than Shanghai

In his first “bullet point”, Kanthan Pillay said that more than 800 multinational corporations have their regional headquarters in Shanghai.

What he does not point out to you is that Hong Kong has almost twice as many regional headquarters as Shanghai – 1,457 as of 2021.

If the Chinese wanted to “attack” US companies by targeting their regional headquarters, they would do better to lock down Hong Kong.

But wait – Hong Kong is still NOT under lockdown, even with a massive surge of Omicron cases.

Fact #5 : Regional HQ Not As Important As Factories

Kanthan Pillay does not seem to understand that regional headquarters are not as critical to US companies as the factories that produce goods for them.

Many employees of these regional headquarters can conduct their work from home, even hold meetings virtually from anywhere in the world. So using regional headquarters and design centres as examples of Chinese sabotage is stupid.

Factories, on the other hand, cannot produce goods virtually. Hence, factories that produce goods for US companies are far more important than regional HQs and design centres.

Fact #6 : Shanghai Lockdown Affects All Companies

Kanthan Pillay is apparently unaware thatChina’s lockdown of Shanghai is not limited to US citizens or companies.

The Shanghai lockdown affects all residents, whether they are Chinese citizens or foreigners. Similarly, Chinese companies are affected just as badly as their Western counterparts.

Even more importantly – there are far more Chinese companies in Shanghai than Western companies. More Chinese citizens are being employed by Chinese companies in Shanghai, than Western companies.

If China intentionally locked down Shanghai to spite US companies, they would be sacrificing their own economy to do that.

The Chinese are not quite so stupid as to cut off their noses, just to spite their own faces.

Read more : Is Malaysia Going To Supply Russia With Semiconductors?!

Fact #7 : TSMC Shanghai Fab Is Not State Of Art

Kanthan Pillay also seems to be unaware that the TSMC plant in China is not state of the art, and does not manufacture 7 nm or 5 nm chips as he alleged.

The TSMC Fab 10 foundry in Shanghai was completed around the end of 2004, and produces 8-inch wafers using old 0.25 micron and 0.35 micron processes from the 1990s.

Fact #8 : Shanghai Semiconductor Companies Not Affected By Lockdown

Despite the entire city of Shanghai being under strict lockdown, its semiconductor companies continued to maintain full production.

They managed to achieve this through closed-loop systems, where most employees work on-site while others work remotely from home.

Both TSMC and SMIC say that they are maintaining full production in Shanghai using such closed-loop systems.

Fact #9 : Companies Can Shift To Other Countries

Kanthan Pillay ludicrously believe that China shut down Shanghai to deliver “a body blow to global giants in the US sphere of influence“.

Multinational companies, especially those from the West, can and have shifted to other countries or states, if conditions become unfavourable.

Some have already started shifted production from China to Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

If China did really do this just to spite US companies, it would be one more reason to shift their operations to other countries. It’s not like they can only build factories in China.

Fact #10 : Chinese Sacrifice Will Not Help Russia

What Kanthan Pillay does not explain is WHY on Earth would China sacrifice its own people and economy to help Russia?

And how does crippling Shanghai’s economy help Russia? Sure, Tesla will miss its production target… again, but so what?

These are public-listed companies, not the US government. Whatever happens to these companies won’t have a material effect on the US government, only its shareholders.

Needless to say – it won’t sway Western sanctions on Russia, and it certainly won’t help Russia in any way.

Read more : What Should China Worry About Russia-Ukraine War?

Fact #11 : Western Economies Are Still Doing Fine

Kanthan Pillay ended his article by claiming that such actions by Russia and China have “brought the economies of the Western powers to a grinding halt“.

I have no idea what he has been smoking, but it must be some fantastic shit, because none of the Western economies are remotely close to collapsing!

In fact, the US Fed just made the biggest interest rate increase in 22 years, announcing a 0.5% interest rate hike to tackle inflation.

Other Western economies are poised to similarly raise their interest rates. They would not be raising interest rates if their economies were collapsing as Pillay alleged.

The Kanthan Pillay article is nothing more than a meaningless self-masturbatory fantasy.

Unfortunately, it’s being widely shared by the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛) and pro-CCP netizens.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out!

 

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Secret NATO Headquarters Under Azovstal Exposed?!

Does NATO have a secret headquarters under the Azovstal plant in Ukraine, where they produce biological weapons?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Secret NATO Headquarters Under Azovstal Exposed!

People are sharing schematics of a secret NATO headquarters under the Azovstal plant, where they claim biological weapons are being produced in Ukraine.

It was actively promoted by Russian political scientist, Sergei Markov, Russia Today, and several Italian TV channels including PiazzaPulita on La7 and Rai 1, as well as the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛).

Online posts often included this long story, which is rather long, so feel free to skip to the next section for the facts.

What is the secret of Azovstal? In Mariupel there is a secret building with a depth of 30 m underground and on multiple floors.

This building is located under the Azovstal plant, which includes the secret headquarters of the North Atlantic, with the code number (pit_404). For the production of biological weapons, within a highly fortified and protected system, in which 240 foreign scientists of different nationalities are present.

 

Truth : There Is No Secret NATO Headquarters Under Azovstal!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and shared by not only pro-Russia activists, but also the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛).

Here are the facts behind the two viral schematics, and why this is just fake news…

Fact #1 : Azovstal Plant Complex Was Created By Soviet Union

The massive Azovstal plant complex was created in the 1930s, as a priority construction project by the Soviet Union.

They spent 292 million rubles to create the massive steel plant complex that would be capable of producing 4 million tons of pig iron a year.

That target was partly demanded by Soviet leaders to beat the Americans whose Gary steel plant was “only” capable of smelting 3 million tons a year.

Fact #2 : Azovstal Bunkers Were Built By Soviet Union

The fake news creators used this infographic from the Daily Mail UK as “evidence” that the Azovstal tunnels were created by NATO.

Ironically, the infographic specifically pointed out that the bunkers and tunnels under the Azovstal plant complex were built by the Soviet Union, to “safeguard the steel plant’s 40,000 workers in the event of a nuclear attack”.

These bunkers and tunnels were built many decades earlier by the Soviet Union, not NATO.

Credit : Daily Mail UK

Fact #3 : No Evidence Of NATO Facility Called PIT-404

There is no evidence of any NATO facility called PIT-404 ever existed.

The fabulous fact checkers at MythDetector.ge did a great job of tracing the origin of this PIT-404 claim to an April 4, 2022 post in the Russian forum, strategium.ru.

In that post, a user called sojnyshkotanya claimed that there is a bio-laboratory under Azovstal, and mentioned PIT several times in reference to Azovstal.

sojnyshkotanya also noted that the best route for the evacuation of Western officials from that facility is from Mariupol to Samsun – a distance of 404 miles.

That was the most likely origin of the name and story of the mysterious PIT-404 underground NATO facility that produces biological weapons.

Fact #4 : PIT-404 Schematic Was From A Board Game!

The image that people are sharing as the PIT-404 NATO facility schematic was actually taken from a board game called Blackout: Journey into Darkness by Richard T. Boardwater.

This board game was pitched on Kickstarter in 2016 as a game for 1-4 people who try to survive in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by monsters, where humans now have to survive in bunkers.

You can see its bunker graphic under the Beneath The Surface section of their Kickstarter pitch), with the following description :

Beneath the crumbling cities, a vast network of subterranean pathways exists. These vast underground chambers are vital to the Brood’s survival. With these tunnels, The Brood emerged to feed on mankind after the great fall. It is these same tunnels they continue to thrive unmolested. Many of the nomadic Unification kill teams have attempted to cleanse these zones but all have been unsuccessful, for the network beneath the surface is vast.

Doesn’t sound like a NATO facility, does it?

The game ultimately didn’t achieve its fundraising goal and was not greenlit, but its bunker design has now found everlasting fame as the (non-existent) PIT-404 NATO facility in the fevered dreams of Russian and Chinese conspiracy theorists.

Fact #5 : PiazzaPulita Admitted Their Mistake

On 22 April 2022, PiazzaPulita admitted that they were wrong to claim that the Blackout bunker schematic was of the Azovstal steel factory bunkers.

As far as I can tell, Sergei Markov – the Russian political scientist and former Putin advisor – has yet to admit his mistake

Fact #6 : Metabiota Is Not Owned By Hunter Biden Or Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The fake story claimed that “this headquarters is run by the Metabiota Corporation of Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and his direct partner, Volodymyr Zelensky“. That’s utter nonsense.

Metabiota is a private company owned by 21 venture capitalist companies, one of which is Rosemont Seneca Technology Partners – a private equity firm partly owned by Hunter Biden.

So no, Metabiota is not owned by Hunter Biden. Neither is it owned by Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The fact that the fake news creators got the name Volodymyr wrong, suggests that they are not Russian. Quite likely, this fake news was created by the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛).

Fact #7 : French General Eric Vidaud Failed To Predict Russian Invasion

French General Eric Vidaud was fired at the end of March 2022 for failing to predict Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – in sharp contrast with other Western Allies.

Vidaud, who led the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DRM) was asked to step down, after an internal defence ministry investigation criticised “insufficient briefings” and “failure to master the issues”.

The fact that the fake news creators got the name Vidaud wrong, suggests that they are not Russian. Quite likely, this fake news was created by the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛).

Left : Gen. Eric Vidaud | Right : Lt. Gen. Roger L. Cloutier

Fact #8 : US General Roger Cloutier Jr. Was Not Captured

US Lieutenant General Roger L. Cloutier Jr. was not shot down in his helicopter, and captured by Russian forces in Mariupol.

A NATO spokesperson, Brian Andries said that Cloutier is currently commanding NATO Allied Land Command in Izmir, Turkey and has not been to Ukraine since July 2021.

The fact that the fake news creators got the name Cloutier wrong, suggests that they are not Russian. Quite likely, this fake news was created by the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛).

Variants of this FAKE NEWS are now being shared in pro-Russia and pro-CCP websites.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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How Central Medicare Leveraged Ruckus For Digital Transformation!

Find out how Central Medicare leveraged Ruckus network technologies to digitally transform and rapidly expand their business!

 

Central Medicare Undergoes Digital Transformation + Rapid Expansion

Central Medicare Sdn. Bhd. (CMSB) is a nitrile glove manufacturer, that started with a single manufacturing facility with 6 production lines and an annual manufacturing capacity of 1.1 billion nitrile gloves in 2015.

Based in Teluk Intan, Perak, Central Medicare has been undergoing a massive expansion and digital transformation plan that started in 2019.

They expanded to 27 production lines delivering an annual capacity of 8 billion gloves in 2020, and 34 production lines with an annual capacity of 11.6 billion in 2021.

 

How Central Medicare Leveraged Ruckus For Digital Transformation!

Peter Cheong, the IT Assistant Manager of Central Medicare, recently shared how they leveraged Ruckus network technologies for digital transformation during their rapid expansion plans.

As Central Medicare added more production facilities, it was becoming complicated to manage the rapidly expanding digital network.

After a thorough evaluation process that included top brands like Cisco, Aruba and Juniper, the IT team decided to leverage Ruckus network technologies for their new digital network.

They started creating their new digital network in 2016, using Ruckus ICX7150 network switches, and Ruckus ZoneDirector 1200 with R500 and R600 series wireless APs.

Both Ruckus switches and wireless APs allowed them to link and manage their different facilities in a centralised, unified manner.

The Ruckus wireless APs also allowed them to create an isolated Wi-Fi network for their customers and suppliers to use, hardening their network security.

The team also liked how Ruckus’ centralised management interface is so user-friendly, making it easy to manage for people who are not IT-savvy.

On top of that, the Ruckus KnowledgeBase is so comprehensive and easy-to-use that they can self-manage their network, without requiring any technical assistance.

All those advantages allowed the IT team to remotely manage their network during the COVID-19 pandemic MCO lockdowns.

The reliability of Ruckus network also shone through during the pandemic – Peter stated that they have not experienced a single failure, since they implemented their Ruckus network 5 years ago.

Central Medicare plans to continue leveraging Ruckus network technologies as they continue to expand their business and production facilities in 2022.

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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National Recovery Plan Phase 4 SOP : 7 March Edition!

Here is the latest SOP for Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) for Malaysia!

Please SHARE this out, so your friends are updated on the latest Phase 2 SOP as well!

For Phase 1 SOP, please see PPN 1 SOP : 16 August 2021 Edition!
For Phase 2 SOP, please see PPN 2 SOP : 11 October Edition!
For Phase 3 SOP, please see PPN 3 SOP : 7 November Edition!

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 4 SOP : Where Does It Apply?

This Phase 4 SOP currently applies to Labuan, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Melaka, Selangor, Kuala LumpurPutrajaya, Terengganu, Johor, Perlis, Perak, Penang, Sabah and Kedah, Sarawak and Kelantan.

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 4 SOP : 7 March Edition!

This is the latest National Recovery Plan Phase 4 SOP that was released on 7 March 2022.

Fully Vaccinated Definition

Under this SOP, you are only considered fully-vaccinated if you meet these requirements :

  • For vaccines that require two doses (like the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Moderna or Sinopharm vaccines), the individual must exceed 14 days after receiving the second dose.
  • For vaccines that require only one dose (like the Johnson & Johnson and CanSino vaccines), the individual must exceed 28 days after receiving the second dose.

Individuals are considered to have received their booster dose as soon as they receive their booster dose. New!

For individuals who cannot be vaccinated on medical reasons, they must produce a medical report that has been verified by a registered medical practitioner.

Overseas Travellers In Phase 4 Areas

  • Travellers must download and active the MySejahtera app before travelling to Malaysia. They must click on the Traveller icon in the app, and fill in the Pre-Departure Form while overseas. New!
  • Necessary (travel) information required as evidence must either be uploaded into MySejahtera, or brought with you, for reference. New!
  • Malaysian citizens or foreigners who have homes in Malaysia (including PR and Malaysia My Second Home participants) arriving from overseas, are ALLOWED to undergo mandatory quarantine at home if they are fully vaccinated, on accepting a digital Home Surveillance Order (HSO) subject to these conditions:
    – Show proof of a valid negative RT-PCR test taken within 2 days prior to departure.
    – Have a valid and complete COVID-19 vaccination certificate (depending on the type of vaccine).
    – Have no symptoms during the health screening conducted at the International entry point.
    – Travellers must undergo a COVID-19 RT-PCR screening test on arrival in Malaysia. New!
    – Have suitable accommodations to undergo quarantine.
  • The mandatory quarantine for overseas travellers is: Updated!
    – 5 days at home (if appropriate) or a quarantine station, for those who received a booster dose, or
    – 7 days at home (if appropriate) or a quarantine station, for those who are fully-vaccinated without a booster dose, or
    – 10 days at a quarantine station, for those who are unvaccinated, or have incomplete vaccination.
  • Travellers must perform self-assessment every day through the Home Assessment Tool (HAT) in the MySejahtera app until the end of his/her quarantine (whether it’s 5, 7 or 10 days after arrival). New!
  • Travellers do not need to undergo COVID-19 screening tests every day AND to be cleared from quarantine. New!
  • However, travellers must take an RTK-Ag self-test if they become symptomatic. If the test result is positive, the traveller must continue the quarantine and monitor his/her health status through the HAT every day. If the symptoms become worse, you must seek treatment at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) or a private health facility. New!
  • Travellers are cleared from their quarantine on the 5th, 7th or 10th day of quarantine, based on their vaccination status. New!
  • Children below 18 years of age travelling with parents or guardians will follow their quarantine periods. New!

Monitoring For Close Contacts

  • Individuals who received a booster dose and are not symptomatic, do not need to undergo quarantine. However, they must perform an RTK-Ag self-test on the 1st and 3rd day from the last date of exposure to the COVID-19 positive case. New!
  • Individuals who received a booster dose but are symptomatic, must undergo a 5-day quarantine at home and perform an RTK-Ag self-test. New!
  • 5 day home quarantine for fully-vaccinated individuals without booster dose (with or without symptoms). Perform RTK-Ag self-test when symptomatic. Updated!
  • 5 day home quarantine for unvaccinated / incomplete vaccinated individuals (with or without symptoms). Perform RTK-Ag self-test when symptomatic. Updated!
  • Individuals will receive a digital Home Surveillance Order. The digital HSO can be screen-printed and employers must accept the digital HSO as proof that the individual must undergo isolation / quarantine. New!

General Health Protocol In Phase 4 Areas

  • Licence holders and premise owners are REQUIRED to provide MySejahtera QR code at the door / entry points of shopping malls, supermarkets. wholesale markets, wet markets and night markets. Shops or kiosks inside shopping malls, wholesale markets, wet markets and night markets do NOT need to provide MySejahtera QR codes. Updated!
  • Hand sanitiser must be provided at the entrance, and customers must use it before entering.
  • The use of MySejahtera is mandatory. The use of logbook is only allowed in areas with no Internet connectivity, or other reasonable excuse (senior citizens, no smartphone, etc.). Updated!
  • Licence holders and premise owners must ensure that customers and workers check in using MySejahtera. or the manual logbook if there’s no Internet connectivity.
  • Employers, employees, customers and visitors are required to check in using MySejahtera or write their names and phone numbers legibly in the logbook (if there is no Internet connectivity) before entering government / private premises. Offices within those buildings do NOT need to provide a MySejahtera QR code. Updated!
  • Symptomatic individuals are NOT ALLOWED to enter premises.
  • Malls and premise owners must ensure that only customers with Low Risk including Casual Contact Low Risk in MySejahtera are allowed to enter. Updated!
  • COVID-19 vaccination card can be used to show vaccination status in case there is no MySejahtera.
  • Licence holders and premise owners must ensure that customers must maintain physical distance of at least 1 metre at any time. Updated
  • It is MANDATORY for employees, suppliers and customers to properly wear face masks while within the premise.
  • There must be good ventilation at the premise according to ventilation and indoor air quality guidelines issued by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (JKKP).
  • Must comply with the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy.
  • It is MANDATORY to wear a face mask, especially in public areas, EXCEPT in these places or situations :
    a) hotel room or paid accommodation, alone or with your own family
    b) Personal working space
    c) Sports and recreational activities
    d) Personal vehicle, alone or with your own family
    e) Indoor or outdoor public areas, when there are no other individuals
    f) While eating or drinking in public areas (except in restaurants or other food & beverage premises) Updated!

Education Sector In Phase 4 Areas New!

  • Hand sanitiser must be provided in appropriate areas, and everyone must use it.
  • All teachers, executive staff, support staff and visitors must scan the QR code using the MySejahtera app before entering education premises under the Ministry of Education (KPM).
  • Only teachers, executive staff, support staff and visitors with “Low Risk” status in MySejahtera, as well as confirmation of a digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate or card, are allowed to enter education premises under KPM.
  • Parents / guardians must ensure that their children / wards are not symptomatic before sending them to school.
  • Symptomatic students or those who have COVID-19 positive family members staying in the same house (close contact) are NOT allowed to attend school.
  • Symptomatic students in schools must be isolated in isolation rooms for further action.

Travel Restrictions In Phase 4 Areas

  • Interstate travel is only ALLOWED for FULLY-VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS, by showing their digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate or vaccination card with ID card or passport for verification.
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are allowed to bring children 12 years and younger, subject to general health protocols.
  • Interstate travel is FORBIDDEN in Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO / PKPD) areas.
  • Interstate travel by workers are subject to worker’s pass or employer’s confirmation letter.
  • Individuals who are not fully vaccinated may travel for funeral and emergencies, after getting permission from the police.
  • All vehicles, whether driven by individuals, for transportation of goods or public transport, are allowed to travel at full capacity.
  • Activities and services at all airports and ports are ALLOWED to operate 24 hours.

Civil Service

  • 100% attendance capacity is allowed
  • Civil service is subject to the current orders by the Secretary to the Government of Malaysia.
  • Must follow the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines.

Meetings

  • Face-to-face meetings and interviews are ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals, at full venue capacity with physical distancing.
  • Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must undergo a pre-event test using a (saliva) self-test kit witnessed by the event organiser or with confirmation from a medical practitioner, before attending a face-to-face meeting; or conduct the meeting via video conferencing.
  • It is encouraged to conduct meetings through video conferencing.

Seminars, Trainings + MICE

  • Seminars, workshops, courses, trainings and talks including MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) are allowed for fully-vaccinated individuals, at full venue capacity with physical distancing.
  • Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated must undergo a pre-event test using a (saliva) self-test kit, or have confirmation from a medical practitioner before attending.
  • Undergo COVID-19 screening test in line with the National COVID-19 Screening Strategy.

Government + Private Events

  • Official events by the government or private sector are allowed for fully-vaccinated individuals, at full venue capacity but with physical distancing.
  • Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated must undergo a pre-event test using a (saliva) self-test kit, or have confirmation from a medical practitioner before attending.
  • It is encouraged to undergo a COVID-19 screening test in line with the National COVID-19 Screening Strategy.

Social Activities In Phase 4 Areas New!

  • Social events like feasts, religious festivals, engagement parties, weddings, receptions, aqiqah ceremonies, tahlil, anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, retreats and other social events are ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals at 50% capacity with physical distance of 1 meter.
  • Attendees, organisers and staff must wear face masks at all times, except when eating and drinking.
  • Avoid 3C (Crowded, Closed and Chatting), and always perform the 3W (Wash, Wear, Warn).
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are allowed to bring children 12 years or younger, while following general health protocol.
  • It is encouraged to undergo a COVID-19 screening test in line with the National COVID-19 Screening Strategy.

Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock, Plantation and Commodities

  • All of these activities, and their supply chain, are allowed to operate according to their licences, except those mentioned in the Negative List.
  • Must obey the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines.

Manufacturing, Construction, Mining and Quarrying

  • Manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying activities are ALLOWED, according to these fully vaccinated rates :
    a) 80% to 100% : Allowed to operate at 100% worker capacity
    b) Less than 80% : Allowed to operate at 80% worker capacity only
  • Must obey the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines.

Trade + Distribution

  • Trade and distribution sectors, including business and service activities, are allowed to operate according to the licences.

Businesses Open Only To Fully Vaccinated Customers

  • These businesses can only serve fully-vaccinated customers :
    1. Photographic equipment and photography shop
    2. Preloved (second hand) shop
    3. Flower and nursery shop
    4. Handicraft and souvenir shop
    5. Antique shop
    6. Games shop
    7. Carpet shop
    8. Creative content and equipment shop
    9. Outdoor equipment (including camping, fishing and other equipment)
    10. Cosmetics, skincare and perfume
    11. Tobacco shop (including vape and electronic cigarette)
    12. House and kitchen appliance shop
    13. Furniture shop
    14. Sporting goods shop
    15. Car accessories shop
    16. Car sales and distribution
    17. Clothes, fashion and accessories shop
    18. Jewellery shop
    19. Barber shop
    20. Beauty salon / center
    21. House show room
  • Premise owners must ensure that customers who wish to enter MUST show their digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate or card, to prove that they are fully-vaccinated.
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to bring children who are 12 years old or younger to these premises.

Dine-In In Phase 4 Areas

  • Restaurant operators, including hotels, sports and recreational club houses, food shops, food stalls, food trucks, roadside hawkers, food courts, food carts, and food kiosks are ALLOWED to offer dine-in services, subject to these conditions :
    – only accept customers who are fully-vaccinated, and not symptomatic.
    – premise owners MUST display a notice at the entrance stating that only fully-vaccinated customers who are asymptomatic are allowed in
    – only workers who are fully-vaccinated and asymptomatic are allowed to work
    – premise owners must arrange the tables with physical distancing, and ensure the premise has good ventilation.
    – dine-in is allowed with a physical distance of at least 1 metre.
  • Individuals who are fully-vaccinated are ALLOWED to bring their children who are 12 years or younger to dine-in.

Markets

  • All markets, except night market and weekend market, are allowed to operate according to their licence or permit subject to the local authority (PBT) with SOP compliance and monitoring by RELA or PBT.
  • Wholesale markets are ALLOWED to open according to their licensed time, subject to the full vaccination of all employees, complying with the SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision.
  • Night market and weekend market are allowed to operate, subject to customers proving that they are fully-vaccinated by showing their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card.

Spa, Wellness Centre and Health Massage

  • Spa, wellness and massage parlours are ALLOWED to operate, on the condition that both customers and operators are fully-vaccinated.
  • Employees and customers must be fully-vaccinated, not COVID-19 positive and not close contacts to positive cases, and not symptomatic.
  • Walk-in is not allowed. Only customers with prior appointments are allowed.
  • Employees must wear disposable gloves, face mask and face shield while at work.
  • Employees must replace their disposable gloves, liners for the bed or mattress or chair, and clean all equipment including face shield before attending to each customer.
  • The ventilation system must be maintained according to schedule.
  • MOTAC will monitor these conditions :
    – spa operators must declare how many employees are fully-vaccinated to MOTAC before they are allowed to operate
    – SOP Self-Compliance Program, especially ventilation within the premise.
    – MOTAC will monitor compliance by conducting periodical spot checks
    – COVID-19 screening test of symptomatic employees

Education In Phase 4 Areas

  • Industrial training and skills training centres, including vocational college, TVET and so on are allowed to operate.
  • All schools and skill training institutes other than those under KPM, tahfiz centre and other educational institutes are subject to their relevant Ministry or Agency.
  • All institutes of higher learning will be open in stages to students who are fully-vaccinated.
  • Skills and industrial training sector, including vocational college, schools not under KPM, tahfiz centres, and other education institutes and all institutes of higher education must comply with the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines.
  • All face-to-face and group learning are allowed at institutes of higher education for students have been fully-vaccinated, subject to strict SOP. Hybrid learning will be implemented for on-campus students. Online learning will continue for students who have not returned to campus.
  • International and professional exams, as well as research activities requiring lab access in tertiary education facilities are ALLOWED.
  • Students in boarding schools or universities are ALLOWED to continue hybrid studies.
  • Daycare and childcare facilities under the Welfare Department (JKM) are allowed to operate.
  • Private and public kindergartens, kindergartens in private, international and expatriate schools and mind development centres are ALLOWED to operate.
  • Home care or rehabilitation centres of children, the disabled (OKU), senior citizens, women and other care facilities are allowed to operate, subject to the SOP.
  • The operators and employees of these kindergarten, childcare and care facilities must be fully-vaccinated.
  • Kindergartens, childcare facilities, day care centres and similar care facilities must obey the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines.

Religion In Phase 4 Areas

  • Prayer activities are ALLOWED for individuals who are fully-vaccinated, subject to the rules and SOP of the state Islamic religious authority.
  • It is encouraged to undergo a COVID-19 screening test before undertaking prayer activities in line with the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines.
  • Islamic wedding ceremony (akad nikah) is ALLOWED only in the Islamic Religious Office / Department with the attendance capacity set by the State Religious Authority.
  • Prayer activities are ALLOWED for individuals who are fully-vaccinated, subject to the rules and SOP of the Ministry of National Unity (KPN).
  • Non-Muslim marriage registrations are allowed at the National Registration Department (JPN), houses of worship and religious associations, subject to limits set by JPN.
  • Burial activities are allowed according to limits set by the State Religion Authority (Islam) or the National Unity Ministry (Non-Muslim).

Sports + Recreation In Phase 4 Areas

  • All sports and recreational activities involving physical touch in outdoor areas are LIMITED to fully-vaccinated individuals. New!
  • All sports and recreational activities (with or without physical touch, performed individually or in groups) in indoor areas are LIMITED to fully-vaccinated individuals. New!
  • The operation of both OUTDOOR and INDOOR sports and recreational facilities are allowed at 100% capacity, with operation hours subject to licence, but limited to fully-vaccinated individuals. Children under 12 years of age who are not fully-vaccinated can undertake activities under supervision of fully-vaccinated parents / guardians / coach / instructor. New!
  • Group sports and recreational activities (with or without physical touch) under supervision are limited to the area capacity, and must not exceed 1,000 people at any one time (whichever is lower). Children under 12 years of age who are not fully-vaccinated can undertake activities under supervision of fully-vaccinated parents / guardians / coach / instructor. New!
  • All competitions or championships of sports (with or without physical touch, whether local or International), must have PERMISSION from the Sports Commission Office, and are limited to 1,000 participants at any one time for sports like triathlon, open water swimming, marathon, trail run, obstacle run and so on.
  • Spectator / supporter presence at sports and recreational venues are limited to 50% of capacity or 20,000 people (whichever is lower), and limited to fully-vaccinated individuals including their fully-vaccinated children. However, children below 12 years of age who are not fully-vaccinated are NOT allowed to enter.
  • The entry of foreign athlete, coach, official, technical help to Malaysia are subject to the rules governing entry of foreigners into Malaysia.
  • Everyone must obey the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines.
  • Individuals who are not fully-vaccinated or unvaccinated are restricted to individual sports and recreational activities that do not involve touch, with physical distance of at least 1-3 metres performed outdoors.

Recreational Fishing

  • Recreational fishing, including at fishing ponds, is ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals.

Picnic + Camping

  • Picnic and camping are ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals.
  • Fully vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to bring children 12 years and younger for such activities, subject to strict SOP.

Creative Industry + Entertainment

  • All creative industry practitioners who are fully-vaccinated are ALLOWED to resume these activities :
    – development and broadcast of recorded or live-streamed creative content
    – broadcast or livestream of information and entertainment
    – in-studio or outdoor filming
    – busking
    – lounge hotel performances
    – live performances like theatre, musical, music and comedy (pre-registered)
    – cinema activities
  • Everyone must comply with the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines.

Tourism + Culture In Phase 4 Areas

  • Tourism and cultural activities are ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals, subject to physical distancing and venue capacity.
    – tourism attractions like beach activities, water sports, snorkelling, scuba diving, sports fishing, edutainment centre, recreational park, extreme park, adventure park, nature park, farm, aquarium, zoo and so on.
    – special interest activities like golfing, scuba diving, cycling, angling, yachting and so on.
    – ecotourism activities like bird watching, caving, mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, hiking, jungle trekking, camping and so on.
    – art, culture and heritage premises like museum, library, art gallery, art and cultural village, cultural shows and so on.
    – theme park and family entertainment centre
    – academic premises like science centre, planetarium and Petrosains.
    – tourism and cultural events.
  • It is encouraged to undergo a COVID-19 screening test when conducting these activities.
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to bring their children who are 12 years or younger, subject to general health protocols.
  • Interstate tourism is allowed for fully vaccinated individuals, except to EMCO (PKPD) areas or any areas restricted by the government.
  • Licensed and registered hotel and homestay are allowed for fully-vaccinated individuals.
  • All other tourism and cultural activities, other than those specified in the Negative List, are allowed.

Cruise Ship

  • Cruise ships are ALLOWED to operate at 50% capacity, on the condition that all crew members and passengers are fully-vaccinated.
  • Pub and night club activities onboard are FORBIDDEN.
  • Must obey the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines.

Driving Lessons New!

  • Driving schools are ALLOWED to operate, on the condition that employees, teachers and candidates are fully-vaccinated, with digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate or card as evidence.
  • Only fully-vaccinated employees who are not symptomatic can work.

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 4 SOP : NEGATIVE LIST

These activities are FORBIDDEN using the National Recovery Plan Recovery Phase 4 SOP.

  • Night club or pub activities
  • Local tourism involving foreign tourists entering Malaysia, except those involving International Tourism Bubble. Updated!
  • Sports and recreational activities exceeding the allowed capacity.
  • Championships, competitions, and matches without Sports Commission Office permission.
  • Any activity that involves many people gathering in one place until it is hard to maintain physical distancing, and compliance with the Director General of Health’s orders.
  • Any other matter that may be decided by the Government from time to time.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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CNY 2022 : Heavy Vehicles + Speed Limit Reduced!

Malaysia has limited or banned heavy vehicles, and reduced the speed limit for the CNY 2022 holiday rush!

Here is what you need to know!

 

CNY 2022 : Heavy Vehicles Banned / Limited!

The roads and highways will be jammed packed during the coming Chinese New Year 2022 holidays.

To mitigate the problem, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) issued a directive banning or limiting heavy vehicles during Chinese New Year 2022.

This directive will be enforced on four days (not including the two CNY public holidays) :

  • Before CNY : 30 and 31 January 2022
  • After CNY : 3 and 4 February 2022

Category 1 : Total Ban

  1. Car carrier, tipper, dumper and tipping trucks whose fully-loaded weight exceeds 7,500 kg, low loader, pole trailer, bulk cement tanker, platform trailer, lumber lorry, heavy wheeled machinery and tractor.
  2. Lorry carrying cement, steel, stone, sand, earth and other construction material, tin tailing, tin ore, coal and other mining ores.

Category 2 : Banned From 12 AM to 8 AM

  1. Container lorry, except for container lorry carrying goods from ports or airport to and from industrial area within the same state.
  2. Lorry carrying electronic and electrical / industrial goods to and from the port or airport to the industrial area.
  3. Lorry carrying oil palm and rubber goods from the plantation to the industrial area.
  4. Empty cargo lorry travelling home.

Category 3 : Banned From 6 PM to 6 AM, Within 25 KM Of Construction Site

  1. Moving crane and cement mixer lorry

Exceptions

  1. Heavy wheeled machinery and moving cranes are given exceptions for emergency work.
  2. Any vehicle carrying goods not mentioned in this directive are allowed to travel during this period.

 

CNY 2022 : Speed Limit Reduced!

As part of Ops Bersepadu, the Works Ministry (KKR) will reduce the speed limit for federal and state roads by 10 km/h.

From 25 January until 8 February, these will be the new speed limits :

  • Federal roads : 80 km/h
  • State roads : 70 km/h

 

CNY 2022 : Speed Limit Enforced Using In-Car Radar + iCOPS!

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will also use In-Car Radar and the iCOPS vehicle plate scanner to enforce the speed limit.

From 28 January until 6 February 2022, PDRM will carry out the 17th Ops Selamat, using Expressway Mobile Patrol Vehicles (EMPV) equipped with both systems.

The In-Car Radar system will be used to make sure all road users abide by the speed limit, while the iCOPS system will be used to check if a driver has any outstanding summonses or traffic arrest arrests, or whether the vehicle was used in any crime.

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Sony Penang Lowers Flag After 37 Years…

Sony finally lowered the flag at its audio plant in Penang, Malaysia, marking a sad end to 37 years of operation.

 

Sony Penang Audio Plant : Flag Lowering Ceremony

On 18 December 2021, Sony officially lowered the flag at their PG Tec manufacturing facility in Penang.

According to Penang Kini, Sony had a flag lowering ceremony at their PG Tec manufacturing facility in Penang, at 8 AM on Saturday, 18 December 2021.

This sad end to Sony Penang comes just days after Intel announced a massive US$7 billion (RM30 billion) chip plant in Penang.

Read more : Intel To Build New $7 Billion Chip Plant In Penang, Malaysia!

 

Sony Penang Audio Plant : Slated To Close By March 2022

Just over a year ago, Sony announced the closure of their PG Tec manufacturing facility, which spanned a land area of 172,000 m², with a total built-up area of 95,000 m².

Based in the Prai Industrial Zone, the Sony PG Tec facility produced audio products like the WH-1000XM3 and WP-SP900 headphones, wireless speakers, home theatre systems and Blu-ray players.

It was also the home of a local Sony R&D team that designed the Sony MHC-V81D sound system, amongst other audio products.

At that time, Sony said that the PG Tec audio plant would stop operations in September 2021, and close by March 2022.

The 3,400 or so employees at the Sony PG Tec facility were offered the option of a severance plan, or relocation to the Sony EMCS factory in Bangi, Selangor. Some 1,800 employees are local, while another 1,600 are foreigners.

 

Please Support My Work!

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Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Intel To Build New $7 Billion Chip Plant In Penang, Malaysia!

Intel just announced that they are going to build a new $7 billion chip packaging and testing facility in Penang, Malaysia!

 

Intel To Build New $7 Billion Chip Plant In Malaysia!

On 16 December 2021, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger officially announced a $7 billion (RM30 billion) investment to build a new chip packaging and testing facility in Penang, Malaysia.

The new Intel facility will add advanced chip packaging capabilities, as well as expand their existing assembly test manufacturing and die preparation capability in Malaysia.

This investment continues Intel’s 49-year old presence in Penang, and is expected to create over 4,000 Intel jobs, as well as 5,000 construction jobs for Malaysians.

The new facility will not address the current semiconductor shortage though, as it will only begin production in 2024.

Intel has two new plants in Arizona, United States, that will also become fully-operational in 2024; with further plans to invest up to €80 billion (US$90.5 billion) to build new chip plants in Europe.

 

Intel’s New $7 Billion Chip Plant In Malaysia : Diversity Is Key!

The new Penang plant appears to be part of Gelsinger’s plans to diversify chip production globally to avoid any production shock from geopolitical troubles (think Taiwan vs China), or natural disasters from earthquakes and climate change.

Gelsinger had earlier warned, “Taiwan is not a stable place. Beijing sent 27 warplanes to Taiwan’s air defence identification zone last week. Does that make you feel more comfortable or less?

That drew the ire of TSMC Chairman and CEO, Morris Chang, who remarked that Gelsinger does not have “enough time” to take Intel back to the top (of the semiconductor industry).

While Intel did have an earlier retirement age limit of 65 (Gelsinger turns 61 in March 2022), that was since been extended to 75.

So Intel under Gelsinger may have a chance to wrest back significant market share from TSMC, before he retires.

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Pfizer + Sinovac Vaccine Shelf Life Extended In Malaysia!

The shelf life of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Sinovac has been EXTENDED in Malaysia!

Here is what you need to know…

 

Why Extend Pfizer + Sinovac Vaccine Shelf Life?

Vaccines generally have a shelf life of about 3 years, so many manufacturers were extraordinarily cautious when they only gave their COVID-19 vaccines a shelf life of about 6 months.

Such a short shelf life would mean that health authorities have to maintain a frenetic pace of vaccinations, or risk the expiry of their vaccine doses.

Even while there is a global shortage of vaccines, many doses had to be disposed when they “expired”, even though they are still safe and effective to use.

And we know that they are safe to use past their “original shelf life” because of ongoing stability data.

So it really makes sense to extend vaccine shelf life based on new stability data, to cut down on waste.

Read more : COVID-19 Vaccine Expiry Extension : What You Must Know!

 

Pfizer + Sinovac Vaccine Shelf Life Extended In Malaysia!

On 16 November 2021, the Malaysia Ministry of Health (KKM) announced that the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) had officially approved the shelf life extensions for these vaccines :

Vaccine Registration Manufacturer Newly Approved
Shelf Life
Sinovac CoronaVac MAL21046125ACSZ Pharmaniaga Lifescience S/B
Malaysia
12 Months
(+6 Months)
Pfizer-BioNTech
COMIRNATY
MAL21016022AZ Pfizer Belgium NV, Belgium 9 Months
(+3 Months)
MAL21036039ASZ BioNTech GmbH, Germany

This shelf life extension will extend to ALL VACCINE STOCKS retrospectively, and would extend to any new doses that Malaysia may receive from now on.

In addition, the three manufacturers now have 6 months to update the shelf life that is printed on their vaccine vials.

This announcement comes after a complaint went viral on WhatsApp, claiming that the Ministry of Health was “secretly” extending the expiry dates of the Pfizer vaccine against manufacturer’s recommendations.

Read more : Are We Being Given EXPIRED Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine?

 

Existing Pfizer Vaccine Batches With Extended Shelf Life

Here is a list of existing Pfizer vaccine batches that will be given extended shelf life :

Batch Original Expiry Date New Expiry Date
FE8163 31 October 2021 31 January 2022
FF0884 30 November 2021 28 February 2022
FF0884 30 November 2021 28 February 2022
FF8871 30 November 2021 28 February 2022
FG3716 30 November 2021 28 February 2022
FG2872 30 November 2021 28 February 2022
FG9019 31 December 2021 31 March 2022
FG7900 31 December 2021 31 March 2022
FH2528 31 December 2021 31 March 2022
FG6272 31 December 2021 31 March 2022
FH8773 31 January 2022 30 April 2022
FH3253 31 January 2022 30 April 2022
FH4763 31 January 2022 30 April 2022
FH8773 31 January 2022 30 April 2022
FK0112 31 January 2022 30 April 2022
FK5475 31 January 2022 30 April 2022
FH4752 31 January 2022 30 April 2022
FJ5973 31 January 2022 30 April 2022
FK6858 31 January 2022 30 April 2022
FH3221 28 February 2022 31 May 2022

 

Existing Sinovac Vaccine Batches With Extended Shelf Life

Here is a list of existing Sinovac vaccine batches that will be given extended shelf life :

Batch Original Expiry Date New Expiry Date
5019117 30 September 2021 31 March 2022
5019383 31 October 2021 30 April 2022
5019401 31 October 2021 30 April 2022
5019402 31 October 2021 30 April 2022
5019403 31 October 2021 30 April 2022
5019482 31 October 2021 30 April 2022
5019486 31 October 2021 30 April 2022
5019492 31 October 2021 30 April 2022
5019494 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019495 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019496 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019497 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019499 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019501 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019502 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019504 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019533 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019534 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019541 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019545 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019546 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019549 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5019550 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5019551 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5019553 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5019554 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5019555 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5019556 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5019558 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5019559 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5019560 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5019561 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5019694 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019695 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019697 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5019698 30 November 2021 31 May 2022
5020068 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5020069 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5020071 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5020072 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5020086 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5020087 31 December 2021 30 June 2022
5020096 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020097 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020099 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020100 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020102 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020103 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020118 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020119 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020121 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020122 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020124 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020125 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020127 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020128 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020130 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020131 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020291 31 January 2022 31 July 2022
5020292 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020294 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020295 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020297 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020298 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020300 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020301 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020303 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020304 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020306 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020307 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020309 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020310 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020315 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020316 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020321 28 February 2022 31 August 2022
5020322 28 February 2022 31 August 2022

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Health + Science | Tech ARP

 

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National Recovery Plan Phase 3 SOP : 7 November Edition!

Here is the latest SOP for Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) for Malaysia!

Please SHARE this out, so your friends are updated on the latest Phase 3 SOP as well!

For Phase 1 SOP, please see PPN 1 SOP : 25 August 2021 Edition!
For Phase 2 SOP, please see PPN 2 SOP : 11 October Edition!
For Phase 4 SOP, please see PPN 4 SOP : 7 November Edition!

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 3 SOP : Where Does It Apply?

This Phase 3 SOP currently applies to Sarawak and Kelantan.

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 3 SOP : 11 October Video!

This video shows the latest National Recovery Plan SOP slides (11 October 2021) for Phase 3, followed by our English translation.

Note : We are still working on the 7 November video, which will be posted shortly…

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 3 SOP : 7 November Edition!

This is the new National Recovery Plan Phase 3 SOP that was released on 7 November 2021.

Fully Vaccinated Definition

Under this SOP, you are only considered fully-vaccinated if you meet these requirements :

  • For vaccines that require two doses (like the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines), the individual must exceed 14 days after receiving the second dose.
  • For vaccines that require only one dose (like the Johnson & Johnson and CanSino vaccines), the individual must exceed 28 days after receiving the second dose.

For individuals who cannot be vaccinated on medical reasons, they must produce a medical report that has been verified by a registered medical practitioner.

General Health Protocol In Phase 3 Areas

  • Licence holders and premise owners must provide MySejahtera QR code and a manual logbook to register customers.
  • Hand sanitiser must be provided at the entrance, and customers must use it before entering.
  • The use of MySejahtera is mandatory is areas with good Internet connectivity. The use of logbook is only allowed in areas with no Internet connectivity, or other reasonable excuse.
  • Licence holders and premise owners must ensure that customers and workers check in using MySejahtera. or the manual logbook if there’s no Internet connectivity.
  • Employers, employees, customers and visitors are required to check in using MySejahtera or write their names and phone numbers legibly in the logbook (if there is no Internet connectivity).
  • In shopping malls, customers only need to scan their body temperatures ONCE at the mall entry point. It is not necessary to scan their body temperature at every premise in the mall.
  • Those with body temperatures exceeding 37.5 degrees Celsius are NOT ALLOWED to enter.
  • Malls and premise owners must ensure that only customers with Low Risk or Casual Contact Low Risk in MySejahtera are allowed to enter.
  • Licence holders and premise owners must ensure that customers must maintain physical distance of at least 1 metre entering or leaving their premises.
  • Individuals 18 years or younger are not encouraged to be in public places and facilities.
  • Premise owners and business licence holders must restrict the number of customers within their premises to ensure at least 1 metre physical distancing.
  • Every premise must publicly display the limit of customers allowed inside at any one time. The use of a numbered queue system is encouraged to control the number of customers.
  • All building owners must provide QR Codes for each floor / level.
  • It is MANDATORY for employees, suppliers and customers to properly wear face masks while within the premise.
  • There must be good VENTILATION at the premise according to ventilation and indoor air quality guidelines issued by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (JKKP).
  • It is MANDATORY to wear a face mask, especially in crowded public areas, EXCEPT in these places or situations :
    a) hotel room or paid accommodation, alone or with your own family
    b) Personal working space
    c) Sporting activities and outdoor recreation
    d) Personal vehicle, alone or with your own family
    e) Indoor or outdoor public areas, when there are no other individuals
    f) While eating or drinking in public areas, when there are no other individuals (except in restaurants or other food & beverage premises)

Benefits For Fully Vaccinated People In Phase 3 Areas

Interstate Travel

  • Interstate travel is ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals by showing the digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate or card, and identity card / passport as evidence.
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to bring children 18 years and below, subject to public health protocols.
  • It is encouraged to undergo a COVID-19 screening test when conducting these activities. New!

Overseas Travellers

  • Malaysian citizens or foreigners who have homes in Malaysia (including PR and Malaysia My Second Home participants) arriving from overseas, are ALLOWED to undergo mandatory quarantine at home if they are fully vaccinated, on accepting a digital Home Surveillance Order (HSO) subject to these conditions:
    – Show proof of a valid negative RT-PCR test taken within 3 days of departure
    – Have a valid and complete COVID-19 vaccination certificate (depending on the type of vaccine).
    – Have no symptoms during the health screening conducted at the International entry point.
    – Have suitable accommodations to undergo quarantine
  • Individuals who arrive from overseas and are not fully vaccinated, or have not been vaccinated, must undergo mandatory quarantine in a KKM-approved quarantine centre.
  • The mandatory quarantine for overseas travellers is 7 days at home (if appropriate) or quarantine station for fully-vaccinated individuals, and 10 days in a quarantine station for individuals who are not fully-vaccinated.
  • Travellers must conduct a self-assessment using the Home Assessment Tool (HAT) in the MySejahtera app, every day until the end of the quarantine period (7 or 10 days after arrival).
  • Travellers must undergo a COVID-19 RT-PCR screening test on arrival.

Monitoring For Close Contacts

  • 7 day home quarantine for fully-vaccinated individuals.
  • 10 day home quarantine for individuals who are not fully-vaccinated.

Test & Release (R&T) Protocol

  • The pilot program for the test & release (T&R) protocol is limited to this group of low-risk travellers arriving from overseas, with strict travel plans / itinerary for official visits :
    a) National figure
    b) Minister
    c) Deputy Minister
    d) Chief Minister
    e) State EXCO member
    f) Members of Parliament
    g) Government official
  • The requirements for this programme include :
    – submitting an application with supporting documents to MKN and KKM for approval
    – undergoing a PCR test 3 days before returning to Malaysia
    – undergoing a PCR test on arrival in Malaysia

Dine-In

  • Restaurant operator including in hotel, sports and recreational club house, food establishment, food stall, food truck, roadside vendor, mobile vendor, food court, hawker centre, and food kiosk are ALLOWED to provide dine-in services, subject to these conditions :
    – Only accept fully-vaccinated customers who are not symptomatic.
    – Premise owners MUST display a notice on accepting fully-vaccinated customers who are not symptomatic at the entrance.
    – Only employees who are fully-vaccinated and not symptomatic are allowed to work.
    – Premise owners must arrange the tablets to ensure physical distance, and the premise must have good ventilation.
    – Dine-in activities with physical distancing of at least 1 meter is subject to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) SOP for Phase 3.
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to bring children 18 years or younger to dine-in at these premises, while complying with general health protocols.

Sports + Recreation

  • All sports and recreational activities with physical contact performed OUTDOORS are LIMITED to individuals who are fully-vaccinated, from 6 AM until 12 midnight.
  • All OUTDOOR sports and recreational facilities are ALLOWED to operate with activities that require physical touch for fully-vaccinated individuals and their children who are under 18 years old of age, subject to strict SOP. Worker capacity (both management and operations) cannot exceed 80%.
  • All sports and recreational activities, with or without physical contact, performed INDOORS are LIMITED to individuals who are fully-vaccinated, from 6 AM until 12 midnight.
  • All INDOOR sports and recreational facilities are ALLOWED to operate with activities that require physical touch at up to 50% capacity, LIMITED to fully-vaccinated individuals and their children who are under 18 years old of age, subject to strict SOP. Worker capacity (both management and operations) cannot exceed 80%.
  • Group sports and recreational activities / training (without or without contact) are limited to fully-vaccinated individuals and their children who are below 18 years of age, with supervision and limited to 50% capacity of the venue / area, or up to 250 persons at any one time, including the coach / instructor / parents, whichever is fewer.
  • Competitions or championships, with or without contact, are only allowed WITH PERMISSION from the Sports Commission Office (PPS).
  • Competitions or championships or mass sports events are only allowed WITH PERMISSION from PPS, limited to no more than 250 people at any one time for sports like triathlon, open water swimming, marathon, trail run, obstacle run and so on. Updated!
  • International competitions or championships using the Sports Bubble model are subject to KBS approval only.
  • Spectator / supporter presence at sports and recreational venues are limited to 30% of capacity or 10,000 people (whichever is lower), and limited to fully-vaccinated individuals and children. However, children under 18 are not allowed to enter if they are not fully-vaccinated. Updated!
  • The operation of both OUTDOOR and INDOOR sports and recreational facilities are subject to the rules of the local authorities / relevant authorities.
  • Entry of foreign athlete / coach / official / technical support into Malaysia is subject to the rules governing entry of foreigners into Malaysia.
  • Everyone must obey the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines. New!

Recreational Fishing

  • Recreational fishing, including in fishing ponds, is ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals from 6 AM until 12 midnight.

Picnic + Camping

  • Picnic and camping are ALLOWED.
  • Fully vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to bring children 18 years and younger for such activities, subject to strict SOP.

Tourism

  • Interstate tourism is ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals.
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to undertake tourism activities, by showing their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card when checking in.
  • Hotel and homestay operators must ensure that individuals who enter their premises prove that they are fully-vaccinated by showing their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card.
  • Individuals who are fully-vaccinated are ALLOWED to bring their children who are 18 years or younger for tourism activities at the hotel and homestay.
  • Visits by prior appointment are ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals to public cultural premises like museum, gallery, archive, handicraft centre, memorial, library and cultural complex, cultural village or center, cultural shows, up to 50% capacity.
  • Tourism centre / premise / product like zoo, farm, aquarium, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing and jungle are allowed to operate on the condition that all operators and visitors / guests are fully-vaccinated.
  • Theme parks and family entertainment centres are allowed to operate with up to 50% capacity, on the condition that the operators, employees and customers are fully-vaccinated.
  • It is encouraged to undergo a COVID-19 screening test when conducting these activities. New!

Cruise Ships

  • Cruise ships are ALLOWED to operate at 50% capacity, on the condition that all crew members and passengers are fully-vaccinated.
  • Pub and night club activities onboard are FORBIDDEN.
  • Must obey the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines. New!

Manufacturing, Construction, Mining + Quarrying

  • For manufacturing, construction mining and quarrying companies that achieved these fully vaccinated rates :
    a) 80% to 100% : Allowed to operate at 100% worker capacity
    b) Less than 80% : Allowed to operate at 80% worker capacity
  • Workers must undergo RTK antigen tests every two weeks, at employer’s cost

Trade + Distribution

  • Only open to fully-vaccinated customers :
    1. Photographic equipment and photography shop
    2. Preloved (second hand) shop
    3. Flower and nursery shop
    4. Handicraft and souvenir shop
    5. Antique shop
    6. Games shop
    7. Carpet shop
    8. Creative content and equipment shop
    9. Outdoor equipment (including camping, fishing and other equipment)
    10. Cosmetics, skincare and perfume
    11. Tobacco shop (including vape and electronic cigarette)
    12. House and kitchen appliance shop
    13. Furniture shop
    14. Sporting goods shop
    15. Car accessories shop
    16. Car sales and distribution
    17. Clothes, fashion and accessories shop
    18. Jewellery shop
    19. Barber shop
    20. Beauty salon / center
    21. House show room
  • Premise owners must ensure that customers who wish to enter MUST show their digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate or card, to prove that they are fully-vaccinated.
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to bring children who are 18 years old or younger to these premises.

Spa, Wellness + Massage Parlours

  • Spa, wellness and massage parlours are ALLOWED to operate, on the condition that both customers and operators are fully-vaccinated.
  • Employees and customers must be fully-vaccinated, not COVID-19 positive and not close contacts to positive cases, and not symptomatic.
  • Walk-in is not allowed. Only customers with prior appointments are allowed.
  • Employees must wear disposable gloves, face mask and face shield while at work.
  • Employees must replace their disposable gloves, liners for the bed or mattress or chair, and clean all equipment including face shield before attending to each customer.
  • The ventilation system must be maintained according to schedule.
  • MOTAC will monitor these conditions :
    – spa operators must declare how many employees are fully-vaccinated to MOTAC before they are allowed to operate
    – SOP Self-Compliance Program, especially ventilation within the premise.
    – MOTAC will monitor compliance by conducting periodical spot checks
    – COVID-19 screening test of symptomatic employees

Driving School

  • Driving schools are ALLOWED to operate, with the condition that all workers, teaching staff and candidates must be fully-vaccinated, with COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card as evidence.
  • Only employees who are fully-vaccinated and asymptomatic are allowed

Creative + Entertainment Industry

  • All creative industry practitioners who are fully-vaccinated are ALLOWED to resume these activities :
    – development and broadcast of recorded or live-streamed creative content
    – broadcast or livestream of information and entertainment with fully-vaccinated spectators up to 70% capacity of the studio space.
    – in-studio or outdoor filming
    – busking
    – lounge hotel performances to fully-vaccinated guests
    – live performances like theatre, musical, music and comedy (pre-registered) with fully-vaccinated attendees up to 70% of premise capacity.
  • Cinema activities are ALLOWED with fully-vaccinated workers and cinema goers, up to 80% of cinema capacity.
  • Must obey the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines. New!

Government + Private Official Events

  • Official events by the government or private sector, including inaugurations and so on, are allowed, subject to these conditions :
    – Organisers and participants must be fully-vaccinated, not positive for COVID-19, not close contact to positive cases and not symptomatic.
    – Individuals who have not been vaccinated must undergo pre-event testing using a (saliva) self-test kit before attending, witnessed by the organiser or a medical practitioner.
    – Limited to 50% capacity of the event space.
    – Only packed food is allowed to be provided.

MICE

  • Seminar, workshop, course, training and talk are allowed, subject to these conditions :
    – Organisers and participants must be fully-vaccinated, not positive for COVID-19, not close contact to positive cases and not symptomatic.
    – Individuals who have not been vaccinated must undergo pre-event testing using a (saliva) self-test kit before attending, witnessed by the organiser or a medical practitioner.
    – Limited to 50% capacity of the event space.
    – Only packed food is allowed to be provided.

Travel Restrictions In Phase 3 Areas

  • Interstate travel is only ALLOWED for FULLY-VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS.
  • Interstate travel is FORBIDDEN in Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO / PKPD) areas.
  • The area will be controlled by the police (PDRM), with help from ATM, APM and RELA.
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to travel in vehicles at full capacity. Individuals are allowed to bring children who are 18 years and below.
  • For those who are not fully-vaccinated :
    – Only three (3) household representatives may leave to purchase food, medicine, dietary supplement and basic necessities.
    – Up to three (3) people, including the patient, may leave to seek healthcare, medical care, screening test, vaccination, security or emergencies.
  • Taxis and e-hailing rides can travel at maximum capacity.
  • Vehicles carrying goods or involved in the economic chain or industry (including worker transportation) are allowed to travel at full capacity.
  • Official and government vehicles are allowed to travel at full capacity.
  • Airports, ports and logistic sector are ALLOWED to operate 24 hours.
  • Sea and land public transportation like bus, express bus, ferry are allowed to operate at full capacity.
  • Unloading of goods at premises, factories and ports are ALLOWED.
  • Disaster or humanitarian aid from NGO must obtain permission from the state or district Disaster Management Committee, and the aid must be channelled through the Disaster Operational Control Centre (PKOB) of the affected area.
  • Travel for Short Term Business Visitors under the One Stop Centre (OSC) initiative for official or business purposes are ALLOWED with police permission.

Civil Service

  • Subject to the current orders by the Secretary to the Government of Malaysia.
  • Civil service will operate in hybrid mode with this approach :
    – Office attendance must not exceed 80% at any one time (except for frontliners, security, defence and enforcement), and 20% must work from home, in rotation.
    – Counter services are subject to the current orders from the Secretary to the Government of Malaysia (KSN).
    – Civil servants going to office must receive official attendance order and worker’s pass.

Private Sector

  • Employee interstate travel is limited to approved operations letter or worker’s pass or employer’s letter of authority.
  • Employee capacity for the private sector is limited to 80%.
  • All offices not listed under essential services are allowed to operate at these vaccination rates :
    a) 80% to 100% : Allowed to operate at 100% worker capacity
    b) Less than 80% : Allowed to operate at 80% worker capacity

Meetings

  • Face-to-face meeting are ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals, limited to 50% of meeting room capacity.
  • Meetings must be conducted via video conferencing for individuals who are not fully-vaccinated.
  • It is encouraged to conduct meetings through video conferencing.
  • Critical interviews are ALLOWED either face-to-face or online.

Business Activities In Phase 3 Areas

  • Restaurants (including in hotel, sports and recreation club house), food shops, food stalls, food trucks, hawkers, food courts, hawker centres. food kiosks are ALLOWED to operate from 6 AM until 12 midnight.
  • Sale of food only allowed through takeaway, drive-through or delivery, except dine-in services for fully-vaccinated customers. Dine-in services for social events are FORBIDDEN.
  • Healthcare services like hospitals, clinics and medical laboratories are ALLOWED to operate 24 hours, or up to their licensed operating hours.
  • Petrol stations, including convenience stores inside petrol stations, can operate from 6 AM until 12 midnight, except for those on tolled highways which can operate 24 hours.
  • Rest and Recreation (R&R) operations in all highways are allowed to operate 24 hours.
  • All trade and distribution sectors are ALLOWED to operate from 6 AM until 12 midnight, or according to their business licence.

  • Daily and public markets are ALLOWED to open from 6 AM until 4 PM, subject to the local authorities, proper SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision.
  • Controlled Fresh Produce Market (PST) are ALLOWED to open from 7 AM until 2 PM.
  • Permanent Farm Market (PTK), MyFarm Outlet (MFO) and Local Farmer’s Association Complex (PPK) are ALLOWED to open from 6 AM until 6 PM.
  • Wholesale markets are ALLOWED to open according to their licensed time, subject to the full vaccination of all employees, complying with the SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision.
  • Farmer’s market and morning market are ALLOWED to open from 7 AM until 1 PM.
  • Night markets and weekend markets are ALLOWED to operate according to their licence / permit until 12 midnight, with SOP compliance and monitoring by the authorities including RELA / civil defence.
  • Customers who wish to enter night markets and weekend markets MUST show their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate to prove that they are fully-vaccinated.
  • Agriculture, fisheries, livestock, plantation, commodity and logging, and their supply chains, are ALLOWED to operate.
  • Manufacturing and construction, and their supply chains, are ALLOWED to operate.
  • The operation of mines and quarries is ALLOWED, subject to the Mining and Quarrying SOP.

Education In Phase 3 Areas

  • All private educational institutes like tuition centres, language centres, skill centre, mind enrichment centre and other institutes registered under the Ministry of Education can conduct face-to-face classes at 50% capacity.
  • Reopening of schools under the Ministry of Education (KPM), or educational institutes registered with KPM for face-to-face learning are based on risk assessment and opinions of the Ministry of Health (KKM) and the National Security Council (MKN).
  • Primary School Reopening
    a) Special needs students (MBK) in National Special Education Schools and Integrated Special Education Program can attend classes without rotation.
    b) Preschool and private kindergarten students can attend classes without rotation.
    c) all other students will continue with online classes.
  • Secondary School Reopening
    a) Form 6 Semester 2, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) Year 2 and Pre-University Program Semester 3 students in Malaysia Sports School (SSM) can attend classes without rotation.
    b) Special needs students (MBK) in National Special Education / Vocational Schools or PPKI can attend classes without rotation.
    c) Pre-University Program students in SSM (Malaysia Sports School) and students preparing for public examinations like SPM, STAM, SVM, STPM in full boarding schools (SBP), full boarding National Religious Secondary School (SMKA) / Government-Assisted Religious School (SABK), Art School and Sports School can attend classes without rotation.
    d) Students sitting for international IGCSE (International General Certificate for Secondary Education) O Level, A-Level and Australia Higher School Certificate and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme can attend classes without rotation.
    e) Students studying for other International exams can attend classes in rotation.
    f) Students studying for public exams like SPM, STAM, SVM and STPM in day school / private school can attend classes in rotation.
    g) all other students will continue with online classes.
  • Matriculation College
    a) Students of two semester and four semester (Semester 3) systems can attend classes in college or online classes.
    b) Semester 1 students of the four semester system must continue with online learning (PdPR).
  • Teachers College (IPG)
    a) Online learning up to 6/7 November 2021 for PPISMP, PISMP and PDPP students. Face-to-face or hybrid learning at the IPG campus will begin on 7/8 November 2021.
    b) Online learning will continue for PDPM and KDC students. Face-to-face or hybrid learning at the IPG campus will begin on 11/12 December 2021.
  • Students are allowed to travel inter-state to attend school or other education institute with a confirmation letter from the Ministry of Education, MARA or the relevant Ministry or Agency.
  • Students are allowed to be accompanied by a guardian / parent while travelling to and from their school or other education institute.
  • Teachers or lecturers who are involved in face-to-face classes are allowed to travel interstate, with confirmation letter from the Ministry of Education.
  • Students who need to travel from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah, Sarawak or Labuan and vice versa must comply with existing quarantine rules.
  • Students are allowed to travel interstate to their hostels with confirmation letter from the Ministry of Education / MARA or any relevant Ministry or Agency.
  • Students staying in hostels must test themselves using the COVID-19 Self-Test Kit three times – before registering to enter, on the 6th day and on the 14th day in their hostel.
  • IPG students are encouraged to test themselves using the COVID-19 Self-Test Kit a day before returning to IPG, or undergo a swab test at a health facility and inform the IPG of the results.
  • Industrial training and skills training centres, including vocational college, TVET and so on are allowed to operate.
  • All schools and skill training institutes other than those under KPM, tahfiz centre and other educational institutes are subject to their relevant Ministry or Agency.
  • All institutes of higher learning will be open in stages to students who are fully-vaccinated.
  • All learning activities in institutes of higher learning – face-to-face, in groups – are allowed for fully-vaccinated students. Hybrid learning will be conducted for students on campus, while online learning will continue for students who are unable to return to campus.
  • International and professional exams, as well as research activities requiring lab access in tertiary education facilities are ALLOWED.
  • Students in boarding schools or universities are ALLOWED to continue hybrid studies.
  • Kindergartens and daycare centres under the Social Welfare Department (JKM) are allowed to operate.
  • Private and public kindergartens, kindergartens in private, international and expatriate schools and mind development centres are ALLOWED to operate for parents or guardians who are working.
  • Home care or rehabilitation centres of children, the disabled (OKU), senior citizens, women and other care facilities are allowed to operate, subject to the SOP.
  • Operators and employees of all kindergartens, daycare centres, home care or rehabilitation centres must be fully-vaccinated.
  • Kindergartens, childcare facilities, day care centres and similar care facilities must obey the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy guidelines. New!

Religion

  • Mosque and surau activities are allowed for fully-vaccinated individuals, subject to the State Religious Authority.
  • Islamic wedding ceremony (akad nikah) is ALLOWED, subject to the State Religious Authority.
  • Activities at non-Muslim houses of worship are ALLOWED, subject to the National Unity Ministry.
  • Non-Muslim marriage registrations are allowed at the National Registration Department (JPN), houses of worship and religious associations, subject to limits set by JPN.
  • Burial activities are allowed, subject to the State Religion Authority (Islam) or the National Unity Ministry (Non-Muslim).

Sports + Recreation (for partially-vaccinated / unvaccinated)

  • Individual sports and recreational activities without physical contact and physical distancing of 1-3 metres are allowed in OUTDOOR spaces, from 6 AM until 12 midnight.
  • Operations of all OUTDOOR sports and recreational facilities are subject to the local authorities.

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 3 SOP : NEGATIVE LIST

These activities are FORBIDDEN using the National Recovery Plan Recovery Phase 3 SOP.

  • Night club and pub activities
  • Social events like feasts, festivals, weddings, engagements, receptions, aqiqah ceremonies, tahlil, anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, retreats and other social events.
  • Local tourism involving foreign tourists entering Malaysia.
  • Sports and recreational activities exceeding the allowed capacity.
  • Championship / competition / sports or recreational event that do not have permission from PPS. Updated!
  • Any activity that involves many people gathering in one place until it is hard to maintain physical distancing, and compliance with the Director General of Health’s orders.
  • Any other matter that may be decided by the Government from time to time.

 

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National Recovery Plan Phase 2 SOP : 11 October Edition!

Here is the latest SOP for Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) for Malaysia!

Please SHARE this out, so your friends are updated on the latest Phase 2 SOP as well!

For Phase 1 SOP, please see PPN 1 SOP : 16 August 2021 Edition!
For Phase 3 SOP, please see PPN 3 SOP : 11 October Edition!
For Phase 4 SOP, please see PPN 4 SOP : 11 October Edition!

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 2 SOP : Where Does It Apply?

This Phase 2 SOP currently applies to Kelantan, Perak, PenangSabah and Kedah.

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 2 SOP : 24 September 2021 Video!

This video shows the latest National Recovery Plan SOP slides (24 September 2021) for Phase 2, followed by our English translation.

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 2 SOP : 11 October Update!

This is the latest National Recovery Plan Phase 2 SOP that was released on 11 October 2021.

General Health Protocol In Phase 2 Areas

  • Licence holders and premise owners must provide MySejahtera QR code and a manual logbook to register customers.
  • Hand sanitiser must be provided at the entrance, and customers must use it before entering.
  • The use of MySejahtera is mandatory is areas with good Internet connectivity. The use of logbook is only allowed in areas with no Internet connectivity, or other reasonable excuse.
  • Licence holders and premise owners must ensure that customers and workers check in using MySejahtera. or the manual logbook if there’s no Internet connectivity.
  • Employers, employees, customers and visitors are required to check in using MySejahtera or write their names and phone numbers legibly in the logbook (if there is no Internet connectivity).
  • In shopping malls, customers only need to scan their body temperatures ONCE at the mall entry point. It is not necessary to scan their body temperature at every premise in the mall.
  • Those with body temperatures exceeding 37.5 degrees Celsius are NOT ALLOWED to enter.
  • Malls and premise owners must ensure that only customers with Low Risk or Casual Contact Low Risk in MySejahtera are allowed to enter.
  • Licence holders and premise owners must ensure that customers must maintain physical distance of at least 1 metre entering or leaving their premises.
  • Individuals 18 years and below are not encouraged to be in public places and facilities.
  • Premise owners and business licence holders must restrict the number of customers within their premises to ensure at least 1 metre physical distancing.
  • Every premise must publicly display the limit of customers allowed inside at any one time. The use of a numbered queue system is encouraged to control the number of customers.
  • All building owners must provide QR Codes for each floor / level.
  • It is MANDATORY for employees, suppliers and customers to properly wear face masks while within the premise.
  • There must be good VENTILATION at the premise according to ventilation and indoor air quality guidelines issued by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (JKKP). Updated!
  • It is MANDATORY to wear a face mask, especially in crowded public areas, EXCEPT in these places or situations :
    a) hotel room or paid accommodation, alone or with your own family
    b) Personal working space
    c) Sporting activities and outdoor recreation
    d) Personal vehicle, alone or with your own family
    e) Indoor or outdoor public areas, when there are no other individuals
    f) While eating or drinking in public areas, when there are no other individuals (except in restaurants or other food & beverage premises)

Benefits For Fully Vaccinated People In Phase 2 Areas

Inter-District + Interstate Travel

  • Inter-district and interstate travel is ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals who must show their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card, and identity card or passport as evidence.
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to bring children who are 17 years old or younger, while complying with general health protocols.

Overseas Travellers

  • Malaysian citizens or foreigners who have homes in Malaysia (including PR and Malaysia My Second Home participants) arriving from overseas, are ALLOWED to undergo mandatory quarantine at home if they are fully vaccinated, on accepting a digital Home Surveillance Order (HSO) subject to these conditions:
    – Show proof of a valid negative RT-PCR test taken within 3 days of departure
    – Have a valid and complete COVID-19 vaccination certificate (depending on the type of vaccine).
    – Have no symptoms during the health screening conducted at the International entry point.
    – Have suitable accommodations to undergo quarantine
  • Individuals who arrive from overseas and are not fully vaccinated, or have not been vaccinated, must undergo mandatory quarantine in a KKM-approved quarantine centre.
  • The mandatory quarantine for travellers from all countries is 14 days, and can be extended a further 7 days, based on the risk assessment on Day 14.
  • Travellers must conduct a self-assessment using the Home Assessment Tool (HAT) in the MySejahtera app, every day until the end of the quarantine period (14 or 21 days after arrival).
  • Travellers must undergo a COVID-19 RT-PCR screening test on arrival. The RT-PCR screening test for COVID-19 must be released on Day 10, or Day 18 (for travellers undergoing a 21-day quarantine).

Religion

  • Prayer activities at the mosque and surau for individuals who are fully vaccinated are ALLOWED, subject to the rules and SOP by the state religious authority.
  • Prayer activities at non-Muslim religious houses for individuals who are fully vaccinated are ALLOWED, subject to the rules and SOP by the Ministry of National Unity.

Dine-In

  • Restaurant operators, including hotels, sports and recreational club houses, food shops, food stalls, food trucks, roadside hawkers, food courts, food carts, and food kiosks are ALLOWED to offer dine-in services, subject to these conditions :
    – only accept customers who are fully-vaccinated, and asymptomatic.
    – premise owners MUST display a notice at the entrance stating that only fully-vaccinated customers who are asymptomatic are allowed in
    – only workers who are fully-vaccinated and asymptomatic are allowed to work at these vaccination rates :
    a) 40% : allowed to operate with 60% worker capacity
    b) 60% : allowed to operate with 80% worker capacity
    c) 80% : allowed to operate with 100% worker capacity
    – premise owners must arrange the tables with physical distancing, and ensure the premise has good ventilation.
    – dine-in is allowed with a maximum capacity of 50% per table, with physical distance of at least 1 metre.
  • Individuals who are fully-vaccinated are ALLOWED to bring their children who are 17 years or younger to dine-in.

Sports + Recreation

  • All OUTDOOR sports and recreational activities with physical contact are LIMITED to fully-vaccinated individuals, from 6 AM until 10 PM.
  • All OUTDOOR sports and recreational facilities are ALLOWED to operate for fully-vaccinated individuals and their children who are below 18 years old for activities involving contact, subject to strict SOP. Worker capacity (both management and operations) cannot exceed 60%.
  • All INDOOR sports and recreational activities, with or without physical contact, done individually or in groups, are LIMITED to those individuals who are fully vaccinated, from 6 AM to 10 PM.
  • All INDOOR sports and recreational facilities are ALLOWED to operate, but only open to fully-vaccinated individuals and their children who are below 18 years old, up to 50% capacity. Worker capacity (both management and operations) cannot exceed 60%.
  • The operation of both OUTDOOR and INDOOR sports and recreational facilities are subject to the rules of the local authorities / relevant authorities.
  • Competitions or championships are limited to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), Malaysian Football League – MFL) and those who received special permission from KBS.
  • Group sports and recreational activities / training (without or without contact) are limited to fully-vaccinated individuals and their children who below 18 years old, with supervision and limited to 50% capacity of the venue / area, or up to 50 persons at any one time, including the coach / instructor / parents, whichever is fewer.
  • Spectator / supporter presence at sports and recreational venues are limited to 20% of capacity or 5,000 people (whichever is lower), and limited to fully-vaccinated individuals who are 18 years or older only. Updated!

Recreational Fishing

  • Recreational fishing, including fishing pond, is ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals, from 6 AM until 10 PM. Updated!

Picnic + Camping

  • Picnic and camping are ALLOWED. Updated!
  • Fully vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to bring children 18 years and younger for such activities, subject to strict SOP.

Tourism

  • Interstate tourism is ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals. Updated!
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to undertake tourism activities, by showing their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card when checking in. Updated!
  • Hotel and homestay operators must ensure that individuals who enter their premises prove that they are fully-vaccinated by showing their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card.
  • Individuals who are fully-vaccinated are ALLOWED to bring their children who are 18 years or younger for tourism activities at the hotel and homestay.
  • Visits by prior appointment are ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals to public cultural premises like museum, gallery, archive, handicraft centre, memorial, library and cultural complex, cultural village or center, cultural shows, up to 50% capacity.
  • Tourism centre / premise / product like zoo, farm, aquarium, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing and jungle are allowed to operate on the condition that all operators and visitors / guests are fully-vaccinated.

Cruise Ships

  • Cruise ships are ALLOWED to operate at 50% capacity, on the condition that all crew members and passengers are fully-vaccinated.
  • Pub and night club activities onboard are FORBIDDEN.

Manufacturing + Construction Sectors

  • Manufacturing and construction activities not listed in the Essential Manufacturing and Construction list are ALLOWED, according to these fully vaccinated rates :
    a) 40% : Allowed to operate at 60% worker capacity
    b) 60% : Allowed to operate at 80% worker capacity
    c) 80% : Allowed to operate at 100% worker capacity
  • Workers must undergo RTK antigen tests every two weeks, at employer’s cost

Mining + Quarrying

  • For mining and quarrying companies that achieved these fully vaccinated rates :
    a) 80% to 100% : Allowed to operate at 100% worker capacity
    b) Less than 80% : Allowed to operate at 80% worker capacity
  • Workers must undergo RTK antigen tests every two weeks, at employer’s cost

Trade + Distribution

  • Only open to fully-vaccinated customers :
    1. Photographic equipment and photography shop
    2. Preloved (second hand) shop
    3. Flower and nursery shop
    4. Handicraft and souvenir shop
    5. Antique shop
    6. Games shop
    7. Carpet shop
    8. Creative content and equipment shop
    9. Outdoor equipment (including camping, fishing and other equipment)
    10. Cosmetics, skincare and perfume
    11. Tobacco shop (including vape and electronic cigarette)
    12. House and kitchen appliance shop
    13. Furniture shop
    14. Sporting goods shop
    15. Car accessories shop
    16. Car sales and distribution
    17. Clothes, fashion and accessories shop
    18. Jewellery shop
    19. Barber shop
    20. Beauty salon / center
    21. House show room
  • Premise owners must ensure that customers who wish to enter MUST show their digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate or card, to prove that they are fully-vaccinated.
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to bring children who are 18 years old or younger to these premises.

Spa, Wellness + Massage Parlours

  • Spa, wellness and massage parlours are ALLOWED to operate, on the condition that both customers and operators are fully-vaccinated, from 1 October 2021 onwards.
  • Employees and customers must be fully-vaccinated, not COVID-19 positive and not close contacts to positive cases, and not symptomatic.
  • Walk-in is not allowed. Only customers with prior appointments are allowed.
  • Employees must wear disposable gloves, face mask and face shield while at work.
  • Employees must replace their disposable gloves, liners for the bed or mattress or chair, and clean all equipment including face shield before attending to each customer.
  • The ventilation system must be maintained according to schedule.
  • MOTAC will monitor these conditions :
    – spa operators must declare how many employees are fully-vaccinated to MOTAC before they are allowed to operate
    – SOP Self-Compliance Program, especially ventilation within the premise.
    – MOTAC will monitor compliance by conducting periodical spot checks
    – COVID-19 screening test of symptomatic employees

Night Market + Weekend Market

  • Only fully-vaccinated individuals are allowed to enter a night market or weekend market.
  • Night market and weekend market are allowed to operate, subject to customers proving that they are fully-vaccinated by showing their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card.

Driving School

  • Driving schools are ALLOWED to operate, with the condition that all workers, teaching staff and candidates must be fully-vaccinated, with COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card as evidence.
  • Only employees who are fully-vaccinated and asymptomatic are allowed to work at these vaccination rates :
    a) 40% : Allowed to operate at 60% worker capacity
    b) 60% : Allowed to operate at 80% worker capacity
    c) 80% : Allowed to operate at 100% worker capacity

Creative + Entertainment Industry

  • All creative industry practitioners who are fully-vaccinated are ALLOWED to resume these activities :
    – development and broadcast of recorded or live-streamed creative content
    – broadcast or livestream of information and entertainment with fully-vaccinated spectators up to 50% capacity of the studio space.
    – in-studio or outdoor filming
    – busking
    – lounge hotel performances to fully-vaccinated guests
    – live performances like theatre, musical, music and comedy (pre-registered) with fully-vaccinated attendees up to 50% of premise capacity.
    – cinema activities are ALLOWED with fully-vaccinated workers and cinema goers, up to 50% of cinema capacity.

Government + Private Official Events

  • Official events by the government or private sector, including inaugurations and so on, are allowed, subject to these conditions :
    – Organisers and participants must be fully-vaccinated, not positive for COVID-19, not close contact to positive cases and not symptomatic.
    – Individuals who have not been vaccinated must undergo pre-event testing using a (saliva) self-test kit before attending, witnessed by the organiser or a medical practitioner.
    – Limited to 50% capacity of the event space.
    – Only packed food is allowed to be provided.

MICE

  • Seminar, workshop, course, training and talk are allowed, subject to these conditions :
    – Organisers and participants must be fully-vaccinated, not positive for COVID-19, not close contact to positive cases and not symptomatic.
    – Individuals who have not been vaccinated must undergo pre-event testing using a (saliva) self-test kit before attending, witnessed by the organiser or a medical practitioner.
    – Limited to 50% capacity of the event space.
    – Only packed food is allowed to be provided.

Travel Restrictions In Phase 2 Areas

  • Interstate travel is ALLOWED only for FULLY-VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS. New!
  • Interstate travel is FORBIDDEN in Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO / PKPD) areas. New!
  • The area will be controlled by the police (PDRM), with help from ATM, APM and RELA. Updated!
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to travel in vehicles at full capacity.
  • For those who are not fully-vaccinated :
    – Only two (2) household representatives may leave to purchase food, medicine, dietary supplement and basic necessities.
    – Up to three (3) people, including the patient, may leave to seek healthcare, medical care, screening test, vaccination, security or emergencies.
  • Taxis and e-hailing rides are limited to just TWO (2) people in the vehicle, including the driver, and the passenger must sit in the back.
  • Vehicles carrying goods or involved in the economic chain or industry (except worker transportation) is allowed to travel at full capacity.
  • Official and government vehicles are allowed to travel at full capacity.
  • Airports, ports and logistic sector are ALLOWED to operate 24 hours.
  • Public transportation (train, bus, LRT, MRT, ERL, monorail, taxi, ferry) are allowed to operate at full capacity.
  • Unloading of non-essential goods in factories is limited to delivery and receipt of goods or cargo in existing stockpiles for the purpose of import and export only with limited workers. Unloading of essential goods is not subject to these restrictions and can proceed as usual.
  • Disaster or humanitarian aid from NGO must obtain permission from the state or district Disaster Management Committee, and the aid must be channelled through the Disaster Operational Control Centre (PKOB) of the affected area.
  • Travel for Short Term Business Visitors under the One Stop Centre (OSC) initiative for official or business purposes are ALLOWED with police permission.

Civil Service

  • Subject to the current orders by the Secretary to the Government of Malaysia.
  • Civil service will operate in hybrid mode with this approach :
    – Office attendance must not exceed 60% at any one time (except for frontliners, security, defence and enforcement), and 40% must work from home, in rotation.
    – Counter services are subject to the current orders from the Secretary to the Government of Malaysia (KSN).
    – Civil servants going to office must receive official attendance order and worker’s pass.

Private Sector

  • Approved essential services must have official approval from the relevant Ministry or Agency.
  • Employee travel is limited to approved operations letter or worker’s pass or employer’s letter of authority.
  • Employee capacity for the private sector (essential services) is limited to 80%, including both operations and management. Employee capacity can be increased to 100% when employee vaccination is 80% or higher.
  • All offices not listed under essential services are allowed to operate at these vaccination rates :
    a) 40% : Allowed to operate at 60% worker capacity
    b) 60% : Allowed to operate at 80% worker capacity
    c) 80% : Allowed to operate at 100% worker capacity

MICE

  • Face-to-face meeting are ALLOWED for fully-vaccinated individuals, limited to 50% of meeting room capacity.
  • Meetings must be conducted via video conferencing for individuals who are not fully-vaccinated.
  • It is encouraged to conduct meetings through video conferencing.
  • Critical interviews are ALLOWED either face-to-face or online.

Business Activities In Phase 2 Areas

  • Restaurants, food shops, food stalls, food trucks, hawkers, food courts, hawker centres. food kiosks are ALLOWED to operate from 6 AM until 12 midnight.
  • Sale of food only allowed through takeaway, drive-through or delivery, except dine-in services for fully-vaccinated customers. Dine-in services for social events are FORBIDDEN.
  • Park & dine services are FORBIDDEN.
  • Grocers, convenience stores and mini marts are ALLOWED to operate from 6 AM until 12 midnight.
  • Pharmacies and self-care stores are ALLOWED to operate from 6 AM until 10 PM.
  • Hardware stores, vehicle workshops, childcare stores and religious stores are ALLOWED to operate from 6 AM until 10 PM.
  • Healthcare services like hospitals, clinics and medical laboratories are ALLOWED to operate 24 hours, or up to their licensed operating hours.
  • Petrol stations can operate from 6 AM until 12 midnight, except for those on tolled highways which can operate 24 hours.
  • Supermarkets, shopping malls, and departmental stores allowed to operate from 6 AM until 10 PM.
  • Bookstores and stationery, computer, telecommunications, and electrical shops are ALLOWED to open from 6 AM until 10 PM.
  • Barber, hair saloon and beauty saloons are ALLOWED to open from 6 AM until 10 PM.
  • Veterinarian clinics and pet food stores are ALLOWED to open from 6 AM until 10 PM.
  • Laundry services, car wash and optical stores are allowed to operate from 6 AM until 10 PM. Self-service laundromats must ensure an employee is present on-premise.

  • Daily and public markets are ALLOWED to open from 6 AM until 4 PM, subject to the local authorities, proper SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision.
  • Controlled Fresh Produce Market (PST) are ALLOWED to open from 7 AM until 2 PM.
  • Permanent Farm Market (PTK), MyFarm Outlet (MFO) and Local Farmer’s Association Complex (PPK) are ALLOWED to open from 6 AM until 4 PM.
  • Wholesale markets are ALLOWED to open according to their licensed time, subject to the full vaccination of all employees, complying with the SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision. Updated!
  • Farmer’s market and morning market are ALLOWED to open from 7 AM until 11 AM, limited to main commodities determined by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI).
  • Night market and weekend market are ALLOWED to operate, subject to SOP and monitoring by RELA or local authorities.
  • Only fully-vaccinated people may enter a night market or weekend market, by showing their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card.
  • The operation of mines and quarries is ALLOWED, subject to the Mining and Quarrying SOP.
  • Fishing for livelihood is ALLOWED.

Education In Phase 2 Areas

  • Reopening of schools under the Ministry of Education (KPM), or educational institutes registered with KPM for face-to-face learning are based on risk assessment and opinions of the Ministry of Health (KKM) and the National Security Council (MKN).
  • Primary School Reopening
    a) Special needs students (MBK) in National Special Education Schools and Integrated Special Education Program can attend classes without rotation.
    b) all other students will continue with online classes.
  • Secondary School Reopening
    a) Form 6 Semester 2, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) Year 2 and Pre-University Program Semester 3 students in Malaysia Sports School (SSM) can attend classes without rotation.
    b) Special needs students (MBK) in National Special Education / Vocational Schools or PPKI can attend classes without rotation.
    c) Students sitting for international IGCSE (International General Certificate for Secondary Education) O Level, A-Level and Australia Higher School Certificate and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme can attend classes without rotation.
    d) all other students will continue with online classes.
  • Students are allowed to travel inter-state to attend school or other education institute with a confirmation letter from the Ministry of Education.
  • Students are allowed to be accompanied by a guardian / parent while travelling to and from their school or other education institute.
  • Teachers or lecturers who are involved in face-to-face classes are allowed to travel interstate, with confirmation letter from the Ministry of Education.
  • Students who need to travel from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah, Sarawak or Labuan and vice versa must comply with existing quarantine rules.
  • Students are allowed to travel interstate to their hostels with confirmation letter from the Ministry of Education.
  • Students staying in hostels must test themselves using the COVID-19 Self-Test Kit three times – before registering to enter, on the 6th day and on the 14th day in their hostel.
  • Industrial training and skills training centres, including vocational college, TVET and so on are allowed to operate starting 15 October 2021.
  • All schools and skill training institutes other than those under KPM, tahfiz centre and other educational institutes are subject to their relevant Ministry or Agency.
  • All institutes of higher learning will be open in stages to students who are fully-vaccinated.
  • All learning activities in institutes of higher learning – face-to-face, in groups – are allowed for fully-vaccinated students. Hybrid learning will be conducted for students on campus, while online learning will continue for students who are unable to return to campus.
  • International and professional exams, as well as research activities requiring lab access in tertiary education facilities are ALLOWED.
  • Students in boarding schools or universities are ALLOWED to continue hybrid studies.
  • Private and public kindergartens, kindergartens in private, international and expatriate schools and mind development centres are ALLOWED to operate for parents or guardians who are working. Their operators and employees must be fully-vaccinated.
  • Home care or rehabilitation centres of children, the disabled (OKU), senior citizens, women and other care facilities are allowed to operate, subject to the SOP.
  • Parents or guardians sending their children to childcare centres are allowed to transport them at full vehicle capacity.

Religion

  • Prayer activities are ALLOWED for individuals who are fully-vaccinated, subject to the rules and SOP of the state Islamic religious authority.
  • Islamic wedding ceremony (akad nikah) is ALLOWED only in the Islamic Religious Office / Department with the attendance capacity set by the State Religious Authority.
  • Prayer activities are ALLOWED for individuals who are fully-vaccinated, subject to the rules and SOP of the Ministry of National Unity (KPN).
  • Non-Muslim marriage registrations are allowed at the National Registration Department (JPN), houses of worship and religious associations, subject to limits set by JPN.
  • Burial activities are allowed according to limits set by the State Religion Authority (Islam) or the National Unity Ministry (Non-Muslim).

Sports + Recreation (for partially-vaccinated / unvaccinated)

  • Individual sports and recreational activities without physical contact and physical distancing of 1-3 metres are allowed in OUTDOOR spaces, from 6 AM until 10 PM.
  • All OUTDOOR sports and recreational facilities are ALLOWED to open, with supervision and up to 60% worker capacity (both management and operations).
  • Operations of all OUTDOOR sports and recreational facilities are subject to the local authorities.
  • Athlete / coach / official / technical support participation in overseas championships or competitions or matches are subject to the approval of the Immigration Department. Updated!
  • Picnics and camping are FORBIDDEN for individuals who are not fully vaccinated.

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 2 SOP : Essential Services

Essential Services Allowed To Operate In Phase 2 Areas

  1. Food and beverages, including for animals
  2. Healthcare and medical services, including dietary supplements, veterinarian services, etc.
  3. Water supply
  4. Energy supply
  5. Security and safety, defence, emergency, social and humanitarian services
  6. Waste disposal and public sanitisation and sewerage
  7. Land, water and air transportation
  8. Port, shipyard, airport services and operations, including loading, unloading, cargo handling and piloting, storage or transportation of commodities
  9. Communications including media, telecommunications and Internet, post and courier, as well as broadcasting (for the purpose of conveying information, news and the like.
  10. Banking, insurance, takaful and capital markets (60% capacity)
  11. Community credit and pawn shops
  12. E-commerce and information technology
  13. Production, distillation, storage, supply and distribution of fuels and lubricants
  14. Hotels and accommodation (only for quarantine purposes, segregation, employment for essential services and not for tourism).
  15. Construction
  16. Forestry services (limited to enforcement) and wildlife
  17. Legislative and judiciary.
  18. Lawyers and commissioners of oaths
  19. Accounting services
  20. Professional services and consultants (subject to the Professional Body’s regulatory authority)
  21. Logistics limited to delivery of essential services

Essential Services According To Sector In Phase 2 Areas

All industries are FORBIDDEN, except for the following sectors :

Manufacturing

  1. Aerospace (components and maintenance, repair and overhaul – MRO)
  2. Food and beverage
  3. Packaging and printing materials, only related to essential services
  4. Personal care and cleaning products
  5. Healthcare and medical medicine
  6. Personal care items, personal protective equipment (PPE), including rubber gloves and fire safety equipment
  7. Components for medical devices.
  8. Electrical and electronics of global economic chain importance
  9. Oil and gas, including petrochemicals and petrochemical products
  10. Machinery and equipment
  11. Textiles for PPE production only
  12. Production, distillation, storage, supply and distribution of fuels and lubricants
  13. Automotive (vehicles and components)
  14. Ceramics
  15. Cement
  16. Rubber
  17. Iron and steel
  18. Furniture factory

Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock, Plantation and Commodities

  1. Agriculture, fisheries and livestock and their supply chains
  2. Plantation and commodities including their supply chain (oil palm, rubber, pepper, cocoa, lumber, kenaf, biodiesel and agricommodity certification)
  3. Logging activity is subject to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA).

Construction

  1. Maintenance and repair works
  2. Public infrastructure construction works
  3. Construction works that provide approved employee accommodation at construction sites.
  4. Construction works that house workers in approved Centralised Workers Quarters (CLQ).
  5. Construction works of small projects carried out by G1, G2, G3 and G4 contractors.
  6. Renovation of personal homes or commercial buildings.
  7. Land investigation work.
  8. Construction of Government Funded Project.
  9. Professionals / consultants involved in permitted construction works
  10. Services in the supply chain for permitted construction works
  11. Site preparation work, like surveying work, earthworks, marking and clearing of site
  12. Road and highway construction work

Trade + Distribution (Without Vaccination)

  1. Shopping malls INCLUDING supermarkets, hypermarkets, departmental stores and all listed essential services.
  2. Supermarkets and hypermarkets
  3. Departmental stores
  4. Pharmacies, self-care stores, convenience stores and mini marts.
  5. Restaurants
  6. Laundry services, including self-service laundromats
  7. Pet care and pet food stores
  8. Eyewear and optical goods stores
  9. Hardware stores
  10. E-commerce – all product categories
  11. Wholesale and distribution – for all essential products only
  12. Bookstores and stationery shops
  13. Computer and telecommunications
  14. Electrical goods shops
  15. Carwashes
  16. Vehicle workshops, maintenance and spare parts
  17. Other specialty retail store (petrol stations)

Trade + Distribution (For Fully-Vaccinated)

  1. Photographic equipment and photography shop
  2. Preloved (second hand) shop
  3. Flower and nursery shop
  4. Handicraft and souvenir shop
  5. Antique shop
  6. Games shop
  7. Carpet shop
  8. Creative content and equipment shop
  9. Outdoor equipment (including camping, fishing and other equipment)
  10. Cosmetics, skincare and perfume
  11. Tobacco shop (including vape and electronic cigarette)
  12. House and kitchen appliance shop
  13. Furniture shop
  14. Sporting goods shop
  15. Car accessories shop
  16. Car sales and distribution
  17. Clothes, fashion and accessories shop
  18. Jewellery shop
  19. Barber shop
  20. Beauty center or salon
  21. House show room

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 2 SOP : NEGATIVE LIST

These activities are FORBIDDEN using the National Recovery Plan Recovery Phase 2 SOP.

  • Cybercafes and cybercenters
  • Feasts, festivals, weddings, engagements, receptions, aqiqah ceremonies, tahlil, anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, retreats and other social events.
  • All MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) events that are face-to-face.
  • Theme parks, family entertainment centres, indoor playgrounds, karaoke, including family karaoke.
  • Interstate and inter-district tourism by individuals who are not fully-vaccinated. Updated!
  • Local tourism involving foreign tourists entering Malaysia.
  • Sports and recreational activities exceeding the allowed capacity.
  • Sports and recreational activities and operations that exceed the allowed time, except for those sponsored by Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), Malaysian Football League (MFL) and with special KBS permission only.
  • All championships, competitions, and matches, EXCEPT those organised by the KBS, MFL and with special KBS permission only.
  • Night club or pub activities
  • Any activity that involves many people gathering in one place until it is hard to maintain physical distancing, and compliance with the Director General of Health’s orders.
  • Any other matter that may be decided by the Government from time to time.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

Recommended Reading

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National Recovery Plan Phase 1 SOP : 25 August 2021 Edition

Here is the latest SOP for Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) for Malaysia!

Please SHARE this out, so your friends are updated on the latest Phase 1 SOP as well!

For Phase 2 SOP, please see National Recovery Phase 2 SOP : 16 August 2021 Edition!
For Phase 3 SOP, please see National Recovery Phase 3 SOP : 4 August 2021 Edition!

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 1 SOP : Where Does It Apply?

This Phase 1 SOP currently applies to Kedah, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 1 SOP : 25 August 2021 Video!

This video shows the National Recovery Plan SOP slides (25 August 2021) for Phase 1, followed by our English translation.

 

NRP Recovery Plan Phase 1 SOP : 25 August 2021 Update!

This is the latest National Recovery Plan Phase 1 SOP that was released on 25 August 2021.

General Health Protocol

  • Licence holders and premise owners must provide MySejahtera QR code and a manual logbook to register customers.
  • Hand sanitiser must be provided at the entrance, and customers must use it before entering.
  • The use of MySejahtera is mandatory is areas with good Internet connectivity. The use of logbook is only allowed in areas with no Internet connectivity, or other reasonable excuse.
  • Licence holders and premise owners must ensure that customers and workers check in using MySejahtera. or the manual logbook if there’s no Internet connectivity.
  • Employers, employees, customers and visitors are required to check in using MySejahtera or write their names and phone numbers legibly in the logbook (if there is no Internet connectivity).
  • In shopping malls, customers only need to scan their body temperatures ONCE at the mall entry point. It is not necessary to scan their body temperature at every premise in the mall.
  • Those with body temperatures exceeding 37.5 degrees Celsius are NOT ALLOWED to enter.
  • Malls and premise owners must ensure that only customers with Low Risk or Casual Contact Low Risk in MySejahtera are allowed to enter.
  • Licence holders and premise owners must ensure that customers must maintain physical distance of at least 1 metre entering or leaving their premises.
  • Children 17 years or younger are discouraged from being in public places and facilities. Updated!
  • Premise owners and business licence holders must restrict the number of customers within their premises to ensure at least 1 metre physical distancing.
  • Every premise must publicly display the limit of customers allowed inside at any one time. The use of a numbered queue system is encouraged to control the number of customers.
  • All building owners must provide QR Codes for each floor / level.
  • It is MANDATORY for employees, suppliers and customers to properly wear face masks while within the premise.
  • There must be good ventilation and aeration at the premise.
  • It is MANDATORY to wear a face mask, especially in crowded public areas, EXCEPT in these places or situations :
    a) hotel room or paid accommodation, alone or with your own family
    b) Personal working space
    c) Sporting activities and outdoor recreation
    d) Personal vehicle, alone or with your own family
    e) Indoor or outdoor public areas, when there are no other individuals
    f) While eating or drinking in public areas, when there are no other individuals (except in restaurants or other food & beverage premises)

Benefits For Fully Vaccinated People In Phase 1 Areas

Couples In Long Distance Relationship

  • Couples in long distance relationships are ALLOWED to travel inter-state or inter-district to meet each other, on the condition that they must both be fully vaccinated, and have been verified by PDRM with these documents:
    – Copy of identification card of both husband and wife
    – Copy of marriage card / certificate
    – Copy of COVID-19 Digital Vaccination Certificate for both husband and wife
    – Copy of proof of residence of either husband / wife, or confirmation letter from employer
  • The PDRM permission letter must be shown to pass through roadblocks.

Parents With Children Younger Than 18 Years Old Living Apart

  • Parents or guardians who have children under the age of 18 years living in a different state or district, are ALLOWED to travel. to meet them, on the condition both parents are fully vaccinated, and have been verified by PDRM with these documents:
    – Copy of identification card of parents and child’s birth certificate
    – Copy of COVID-19 Digital Vaccination Certificate for both parents
    – Child’s schooling information (if relevant, e.g. boarding school)
  • The PDRM permission letter must be shown to pass through roadblocks.

Overseas Travellers

  • Malaysian citizens or foreigners who have homes in Malaysia (including PR and Malaysia My Second Home participants) arriving from overseas, are ALLOWED to undergo mandatory quarantine at home if they are fully vaccinated, and given a digital Home Surveillance Order (HSO) subject to these conditions:
    – Show proof of a valid negative RT-PCR test taken within 3 days of departure
    – Have a valid and complete COVID-19 vaccination certificate (depending on the type of vaccine).
    – Have no symptoms during the health screening conducted at the International entry point.
    – Have suitable accommodations to undergo quarantine
  • Individuals who arrive from overseas and are not fully vaccinated, or have not been vaccinated, must undergo mandatory quarantine in a KKM-approved quarantine centre.
  • The mandatory quarantine for travellers from all countries is 14 days, and can be extended a further 7 days, based on the risk assessment on Day 14.
  • Travellers must conduct self-evaluation every day using the Home Assessment Tool (HAT) in MySejahtera, until the end of the quarantine period (either 14 or 21 days). New!
  • Travellers must undergo RT-PCR screening for COVID-19 on arrival in Malaysia. The RT-PCR tests must be repeated on Day 10 or day 18 (for those quarantined for 21 days). New!

Religion

  • Prayer activities at the mosque and surau for individuals who are fully vaccinated are ALLOWED, subject to the rules and SOP by the state religious authority.
  • Prayer activities at non-Muslim religious houses for individuals who are fully vaccinated are ALLOWED, subject to the rules and SOP by the Ministry of National Unity.

Manufacturing + Construction Sectors

  • For manufacturing and construction activities not listed in the Essential Services list, companies that achieved these fully vaccinated rates are allowed to operate : Updated!
    a) 40% : Allowed to operate at 60% worker capacity
    b) 60% : Allowed to operate at 80% worker capacity
    c) 80% : Allowed to operate at 100% worker capacity
  • Workers must undergo RTK antigen tests every two weeks, at employer’s cost

Mining + Quarrying

  • For mining and quarrying companies that achieved these fully vaccinated rates :
    a) Less than 60% : Allowed to operate at 60% worker capacity New!
    b) 60% : Allowed to operate at 80% worker capacity
    c) 80% : Allowed to operate at 100% worker capacity
  • Workers must undergo RTK antigen tests every two weeks, at employer’s cost

Trade + Distribution

  • These businesses must only accept fully-vaccinated customers :
    1. Car wash
    2. Electric and electronic shop
    3. House and kitchen appliance shop
    4. Furniture shop
    5. Sporting goods shop
    6. Car accessories shop
    7. Car sales and distribution
    8. Clothes, fashion and accessories shop
    9. Jewellery shop
    10. Barber and hair / beauty saloons (basic hair-cutting services only)
  • Premise owners must ensure that customers who wish to enter MUST show their digital COVID-19 vaccination certificate or card, to prove that they are fully-vaccinated.
  • Parents who are fully-vaccinated can bring their children 17 years or younger to these premises, in compliance with the general health protocol.

Market

  • Morning market, farmer’s market, night market and weekend market can only accept fully-vaccinated customers. New!
  • Customers must prove that they are fully-vaccinated by showing their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card. New!

Dine-In

  • Restaurant operators, including hotels, sports and recreational club houses, food shops, food stalls, food trucks, roadside hawkers, food courts, food carts, and food kiosks are ALLOWED to offer dine-in services, subject to these conditions :
    – only accept customers who are fully-vaccinated, and asymptomatic
    – premise owners must display a notice stating that only customers who are fully-vaccinated and asymptomatic are allowed in
    – workers who are fully-vaccinated and asymptomatic are allowed to work at these capacities :
    a) 40% : up to 60% worker capacity
    b) 60% : up to 80% worker capacity
    c) 80% : up to 100% worker capacity
    – premise owners must arrange the tables with physical distancing, and ensure the premise has good ventilation.
    – dine-in is allowed with a maximum capacity of 50% per table, with physical distance of at least 1 metre.
  • Parents who are fully-vaccinated are ALLOWED to bring their children who are 17 years or younger to dine-in.

Sports + Recreation

  • The use of sports and recreational premises and facilities is RESTRICTED to only fully-vaccinated individuals, for all individual activities with physical distance of 2-3 metres from 6 AM until 8 PM, within the same district.
  • Permitted activities include swimming, equestrian sports, shooting, tennis / badminton (single), golf, motorsports and so on.
  • Operation of all commercial sports and recreational facilities (outdoor and semi-open), including swimming pool or water sports premises, subject to 60% capacity limit with supervision. Workforce is limited to 60%, including both management and operations. These facilities are limited to fully-vaccinated people, who are allowed to bring children 17 years or younger for the same activities, subject to strict SOP compliance.
  • Operation of all commercial sports and recreational facilities (outdoor and semi-open), including swimming pool or water sports premises are subject to local authorities.
  • Dine-in at the club house restaurant or cafe is ALLOWED.
  • Changing room and shower room at the club house are FORBIDDEN.

Picnics + Camping

  • Picnic and camping activities are ALLOWED in the same district.
  • Individuals who are fully-vaccinated are ALLOWED to bring their children who are 17 years or younger for picnic or camping, subject to strict SOP compliance.

Travel Restrictions In Phase 1 Areas

  • Interstate and inter-district travel (based on district borders determined by state governments) is FORBIDDEN, except for long-distance couples, children in other states / districts, or individuals who have been given PDRM or KKM permission.
  • All entry and exit into MCO areas will be closed and controlled by the police (PDRM).
  • Fully-vaccinated individuals are ALLOWED to travel at maximum vehicle capacity. New!
  • For those who are not fully-vaccinated :
    a) Only two (2) household representatives may leave to purchase food, medicine, dietary supplement and basic necessities. Updated!
    b) Up to three (3) people, including the patient, may leave to seek healthcare, medical care, screening test, vaccination, security or emergencies. Updated!
  • Taxis and e-hailing rides are limited to just TWO (2) people in the vehicle, including the driver, and the passenger must sit in the back.
  • Vehicles carrying goods or involved in the economic chain or industry (except worker transportation) is allowed to travel at full capacity.
  • Official and government vehicles are allowed to travel at full capacity.
  • Airports, ports and logistic sector are ALLOWED to operate 24 hours.
  • Unloading of non-essential goods in factories is limited to delivery and receipt of goods or cargo in existing stockpiles for the purpose of import and export only with limited workers. Unloading time is only allowed from 8 AM until 8 PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  • Unloading of essential goods is not subject to these restrictions and can proceed as usual.
  • Public transportation (train, bus, LRT, MRT, ERL, monorail, taxi, ferry, e-hailing ride) are allowed to operate at 50% capacity.
  • Travel for funerals and natural disasters are ALLOWED, with police permission.
  • Disaster or humanitarian aid from NGO must obtain permission from the state or district Disaster Management Committee, and the aid must be channelled through the Disaster Operational Control Centre (PKOB) of the affected area.
  • Interstate and inter-district travel for the purpose of going for vaccination is ALLOWED by showing the appointment in MySejahtera, website or SMS.
  • Members of Parliament or State Legislators are ALLOWED to travel interstate or inter-district to visit their constituencies without conducting any events.
  • Travel for Short Term Business Visitors under the One Stop Centre (OSC) initiative for official or business purposes are ALLOWED with police permission.

Civil Service

  • Must work from home (WFH) completely, except for frontliners, security, defence and enforcement.
  • Office attendance for essential services in the civil service must not exceed 40% at any one time, and must emphasise work that cannot be performed at home, like payment, maintenance, security, technical management, online meetings and ministerial documentation.
  • Government counter service will operate physically from 1 July 2021 onwards, involving :
    – services that cannot be conducted online
    – counter service capacity must not exceed 50%
    – people are only allowed to be admitted with scheduled appointments
  • Civil servants going to office must receive official attendance order and worker’s pass.

Private Sector

  • Approved essential services in the private sector must have official approval from 1 June 2021 onwards.
  • Employee travel is limited to approved operations letter or worker’s pass or employer’s letter of authority.
  • Employee capacity for the private sector (essential services only) is limited to 60%, including both operations and management.

MICE

  • Meetings must be conducted via video conferencing.
  • Seminars, workshops, courses, training and talks are FORBIDDEN, except in-service training through Camp-Based Training.
  • Seminars, workshops, courses, training and talks conducted online are ALLOWED.
  • Critical interviews are ALLOWED either face-to-face or online.

Business Activities In Phase 1 Areas

  • Restaurants, food shops, food stalls, food trucks, hawkers, food courts, hawker centres. food kiosks are ALLOWED to operate from 6 AM until 10 PM.
  • Food and beverage sales are only allowed for takeaway, drive-through or delivery, EXCEPT dine-in for fully vaccinated people. New!
  • Park & dine is FORBIDDEN. Updated!
  • Grocers, convenience stores, self-care stores and mini-marts are ALLOWED to operate from 8 AM until 8 PM.
  • Hardware stores, vehicle workshops, childcare stores and religious stores are ALLOWED to operate from 8 AM until 8 PM.
  • Healthcare services like hospitals, clinics and medical laboratories are ALLOWED to operate 24 hours, or up to their licensed operating hours.
  • Pharmacies can operate from 8 AM until 8 PM.
  • Petrol stations can operate from 6 AM until 8 PM, except for those on tolled highways which can operate 24 hours.

  • Supermarkets, shopping malls and departmental stores can open from 8 AM until 8 PM.
  • Bookstores, stationery, computer and telecommunications shops are ALLOWED to open from 8 AM until 8 PM.
  • Veterinarian clinics and pet food stores are ALLOWED to open from 8 AM until 8 PM.
  • Laundry services and optical stores are allowed to operate from 8 AM until 8 PM. Self-service laundromats must ensure an employee is present on-premise.
  • Daily and public markets are ALLOWED to open from 6 AM until 4 PM, subject to the local authorities, proper SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision.
  • Controlled Fresh Produce Market (PST) are ALLOWED to open from 7 AM until 2 PM.
  • Permanent Farm Market (PTK), MyFarm Outlet (MFO) and Local Farmer’s Association Complex (PPK) are ALLOWED to open from 6 AM until 4 PM.
  • Wholesale markets are ALLOWED to open from 12:01 AM until 6 AM, and from 11 AM until 4 PM, subject to the local authorities, proper SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision.
  • Morning market and farmer’s market are ALLOWED to open from 7 AM until 11 AM, subject to proper SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision. Updated!
  • Night markets and weekend markets are ALLOWED to open, subject to the local authorities, proper SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision. New!
  • Customers to morning markets, farmer’s markets, night markets or weekend markets must show their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card to prove that they are fully vaccinated. Updated!
  • Fishing for livelihood is ALLOWED.
  • All other activities not mentioned in the SOP are FORBIDDEN.

Mining + Quarrying

  • Supply of minerals, rock material and cement only from existing stockpiles as well as transportation from the mine or quarry to the premise or site of major public infrastructure construction or building construction permitted by this SOP.
  • Supply of cement and its logistics to premises or construction sites of public infrastructure or building construction permitted by this SOP are ALLOWED. Updated!
  • The operation and maintenance of mines and quarries is ALLOWED, subject to the Mining and Quarrying SOP.

Education

  • All public and private institutes of tertiary education, tahfiz centres and other educational institutes must CLOSE.
  • Tertiary education will continue ONLINE.
  • All public and private schools and education institutes, tuition centres, language centres, skill centres, counselling centres, etc. must CLOSE.
  • Only international exams at international and expatriate schools are allowed.
  • All face-to-face learning are FORBIDDEN, except for tertiary education students who require them.
  • International and professional exams, as well as research activities requiring lab access in tertiary education facilities are ALLOWED.
  • Students in boarding schools or universities are ALLOWED to continue using hybrid studies.
  • Private and public kindergartens, kindergartens in private, international and expatriate schools and mind development centres for children 4 to 6 years old are FORBIDDEN to operate, unless both parents are frontliners or working in essential services.
  • Home care or rehabilitation centres of children, the disabled (OKU), senior citizens, women and other care facilities are ALLOWED to operate, subject to the SOP.
  • Parents or guardians sending their children to childcare centres are allowed to transport them at full vehicle capacity. New!

Religion

  • Prayer activities are ALLOWED for individuals who are fully-vaccinated, subject to the rules and SOP of the state Islamic religious authority.
  • Islamic wedding ceremony (akad nikah) is ALLOWED only in the Islamic Religious Office / Department with the attendance capacity set by the State Religious Authority.
  • Prayer activities are ALLOWED for individuals who are fully-vaccinated, subject to the rules and SOP of the Ministry of National Unity (KPN).
  • Non-Muslim marriage registrations are allowed at the National Registration Department (JPN), houses of worship and religious associations, subject to limits set by JPN.
  • Burial activities are allowed according to limits set by the State Religion Authority (Islam) or the National Unity Ministry (Non-Muslim).

Sports + Recreation

  • Individual sports and recreational activities without physical contact in open spaces are LIMITED to jogging, cycling, individual games and exercise (like skateboarding, inline skating and so on), without involving sports or recreational facilities, with physical distancing of 2-3 metres within the neighbourhood, from 7 AM until 8 PM.
  • The operation of open public parks are subject to the local authorities. New!
  • The operation of all indoor sports and recreational facilities is LIMITED to critical management duties (finance, maintenance and so on), up to 30% of worker capacity including management and operations. New!
  • Centralised training programs, including closed quarantined competitions using Camp Based Training are ALLOWED.
  • Centralised training programs with quarantine by State Sports Councils using Camp Based Training are ALLOWED.
  • Centralised training programs including quarantined training competitions for teams in the Malaysian Football League (MFL) using Camp Based Training are ALLOWED.
  • Malaysian Football League matches are ALLOWED based on the closed Sports Bubble model, without spectators or supporters.
  • Picnic and camping activity for individuals who are not fully vaccinated is FORBIDDEN. New!

Creative Industry

  • Development and broadcasting of creative content through recording or live broadcasts including animation, filming, drama, promotions, sitcoms and the like, including dance, art activities theatre, musical arts, cultural and heritage performances as well as the music are FORBIDDEN, except for individual discussions and live-streaming.
  • Recording and live broadcasts of programmes to convey information (other than entertainment) like news, forum, interviews are ALLOWED.

 

NRP Recovery Plan Phase 1 SOP : Essential Services

Essential Services Allowed To Operate In Phase 1 Areas

  1. Food and beverages, including for animals
  2. Healthcare and medical services, including dietary supplements, veterinarian services, etc.
  3. Water supply
  4. Energy supply
  5. Security and safety, defence, emergency, social and humanitarian services
  6. Waste disposal and public sanitisation and sewerage
  7. Land, water and air transportation
  8. Port, shipyard, airport services and operations, including loading, unloading, cargo handling and piloting, storage or transportation of commodities
  9. Communications including media, telecommunications and Internet, post and courier, as well as broadcasting (for the purpose of conveying information, news and the like.
  10. Banking, insurance, takaful and capital markets (60% capacity)
  11. Community credit and pawn shops
  12. E-commerce and information technology
  13. Production, distillation, storage, supply and distribution of fuels and lubricants
  14. Hotels and accommodation (only for quarantine purposes, segregation, employment for essential services and not for tourism).
  15. Critical construction, maintenance and repair
  16. Forestry services (limited to enforcement) and wildlife
  17. Legislative and judiciary.
  18. Lawyers and commissioners of oaths
  19. Accounting services
  20. Professional services and consultants (subject to the Professional Body’s regulatory authority)
  21. Logistics limited to delivery of essential services

Essential Services According To Sector

All industries are FORBIDDEN, except for the following sectors :

Manufacturing (60% employee capacity)

  1. Aerospace (components and maintenance, repair and overhaul – MRO)
  2. Food and beverage
  3. Packaging and printing materials, only related to food and health
  4. Personal care and cleaning products
  5. Healthcare and medical medicine
  6. Personal care items, personal protective equipment (PPE), including rubber gloves and fire safety equipment
  7. Components for medical devices.
  8. Electrical and electronics of global economic chain importance
  9. Oil and gas, including petrochemicals and petrochemical products
  10. Machinery and equipment for health and food products
  11. Textiles for PPE production only
  12. Production, distillation, storage, supply and distribution of fuels and lubricants

Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock, Plantation and Commodities (“optimal” employee capacity)

  1. Agriculture, fisheries and livestock and their supply chains
  2. Plantations and commodities (oil palm, rubber, pepper and cocoa)

Construction

  1. Critical maintenance and repair works
  2. Public infrastructure construction works
  3. Building construction works that provide complete employee accommodation at construction sites, or workers that are housed in Centralised Workers Quarters (CLQ).
  4. Construction works carried out by G1, G2, G3 and G4 contractors.
  5. Individual home renovation works
  6. Government funded project works
  7. Land investigation works
  8. Professionals / consultants involved in permitted construction works
  9. Services in the supply chain for permitted construction works

Trade + Distribution (Without Vaccination)

  1. Shopping malls must be CLOSED, except for supermarkets, hypermarkets and departmental stores INCLUDING all listed essential services.
  2. Supermarkets and hypermarkets
  3. Departmental store, EXCEPT clothes, decorations, cosmetics and children toys
  4. Pharmacies, self-care stores, convenience stores and mini marts.
  5. Restaurants
  6. Laundry services, including self-service laundromats
  7. Pet care and pet food stores
  8. Eyewear and optical goods stores
  9. Hardware stores
  10. E-commerce – all product categories
  11. Wholesale and distribution – for all essential products only
  12. Vehicle workshops, maintenance and spare parts
  13. Other specialty retail store (petrol stations)
  14. Bookstores and stationery shops
  15. Computer shops and telecommunications

Trade + Distribution (For Fully-Vaccinated)

Allowed in Phase 1 states that have fully-vaccinated 50% of their adult populations. Customers must be fully-vaccinated.

  1. Car wash
  2. Electric and electronic shop
  3. House and kitchen appliance shop
  4. Furniture shop
  5. Sporting goods shop
  6. Car accessories shop
  7. Car sales and distribution
  8. Clothes, fashion and accessories shop
  9. Jewellery shop
  10. Barber and hair / beauty saloons (basic hair-cutting services only)

 

National Recovery Plan Phase 1 SOP : NEGATIVE LIST

These activities are FORBIDDEN under the National Recovery Plan Phase 1 SOP.

  • Spa, reflexology, massage, wellness, beauty, barber and hair saloons, pedicure and manicure
  • Cybercafes and cybercenters
  • Driving schools, maritime training centres, flight schools
  • Photography activities
  • Gambling, horse racing and casinos
  • Factory manufacturing alcoholic beverages, and shops selling alcoholic beverages
  • Official and unofficial public and private events
  • Social events like feasts, festivals, weddings, engagements, receptions, aqiqah ceremonies, tahlil, anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, retreats and other social events.
  • Receiving guests or visitors at home, except in emergencies or for delivery services.
  • Seminars, workshops, courses, training, conferences, exhibitions, lectures and all MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) events that are face-to-face.

  • Tourist attractions like zoos, farms, aquariums, edutainment centres, extreme parks, adventure parks, nature parks, etc.
  • Souvenir and craft shops, culture and historical premises like museums, libraries, art galleries, native art and culture, stage performance, etc.
  • Theme parks, family entertainment centres, indoor playgrounds, karaoke, etc.
  • Interdistrict and interstate tourism
  • Overseas travel by citizens, and local travel involving foreigners entering Malaysia.
  • Sports and recreation that involve groups or physical contact.
  • All indoor sports and recreation activities. Updated!
  • Spectators and supporters are sports and recreational venues. New!
  • International or local championships, competitions, and matches, EXCEPT those organised by the National Sports Council and training matches for teams under the Malaysian Football League (MFL).
  • Sports or recreational activities that cross district and state lines, EXCEPT with police permission.
  • Hotel lounge performances
  • Indoor or outdoor busking (except in PPV – vaccination centres)
  • Night club or pub activities.
  • Cinema activities.
  • Indoor and outdoor filming
  • Any activity that involves many people gathering in one place until it is hard to maintain physical distancing, and compliance with the Director General of Health’s orders.
  • Any other matter that may be decided by the Government from time to time.

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

Recommended Reading

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Malaysia National Recovery Plan : 8 August 2021 Edition!

Here are the latest updates on the Malaysia National Recovery Plan, that MKN announced!

Updated @ 2021-08-08 : Added new Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 details.

Updated @ 2021-07-20 : Added new Phase 1 and Phase 2 details.
Updated @ 2021-07-09 : Added new Phase 1 and Phase 2 details.
Updated @ 2021-07-04 : Added new Phase 2 details.
Originally posted @ 2021-06-27

 

Malaysia National Recovery Plan : New Criteria

On 15 June 2021, the Malaysia National Security Council (MKN) announced the National Recovery Plan with four phases, which was updated on 5 July 2021.

This was further amended with a new criteria on 7 August 2021.

Phase 1

Phase 2

Before achieving 50% adult vaccinations :

  • Must meet these requirements (nationally) :
    – average daily new COVID-19 cases must be <4,000
    moderate healthcare system / ICU capacity
    10% population vaccinated with second dose
  • Must meet these requirements (by state) :
    – new cases averaging less than 12.2 cases per 100,000
    moderate ICU use capacity
    10% population vaccinated with second dose

After achieving 50% adult vaccinations :

  • Must meet these requirements (nationally) :
    – new daily Category 3, 4 and 5 hospitalisations averaging <2,000
    moderate healthcare system / ICU capacity
    Must meet these requirements (by state) :
    – new daily Category 3, 4 and 5 hospitalisations averaging < 6.1 cases per 100,000
    moderate ICU use capacity

Phase 3

Before achieving 50% adult vaccinations, states must meet these requirements :

  • average daily new COVID-19 cases must be <2,000
  • comfortable healthcare system / ICU capacity
  • 40% population vaccinated with second dose

After achieving 50% adult vaccinations, states must meet these requirements :

  • new daily Category 3, 4 and 5 hospitalisations averaging < 3.0 cases per 100,000
  • comfortable healthcare system / ICU capacity

Phase 4

States must meet these requirements before they can transition to Phase 4 :

  • new daily Category 3, 4 and 5 hospitalisations averaging < 1.3 cases per 100,000
  • safe healthcare system / ICU capacity
  • 60% population vaccinated with second dose

 

Malaysia COVID-19 Recovery Plan : Phase 1 Updates

On 6 July 2021, MKN announced that busking is now allowed in vaccination centres, and supermarkets and departmental stores can fully open up.

On 19 July 2021, MKN announced these changes :

  • Up to 40% of public servants can now work in the office
  • Accounting services are now ALLOWED, with a maximum employee capacity of 60%.
  • Daily and public markets are now allowed to operate from 6 AM until 4 PM, subject to local authorities and SOP, with monitoring by RELA or civil defence.
  • Controlled Fresh Produce Market (PST) is allowed to operate from 7 AM until 2 PM.
  • Cycling and individual sports with physical distancing of 2-3 metres are ALLOWED in the neighbourhood.
  • Ports, airports and the logistics sector can operate 24 hours.
  • Mining and quarrying activities are allowed with up to 60% worker capacity.

On 16 July 2021, the government announced that G1, G2, G3 and G4 contractors can resume construction work.

On 3 August 2021, MKN announced that :

  •  residential renovations can begin / resume in Phase 1 areas.
  • supply of cement and its logistics are now allowed
  • individual sports and recreational activities are now allowed within the neighbourhood from 7 AM until 8 PM.
  • critical interviews are allowed, either face-to-face, or online

For the latest Phase 1 SOP, please see National Recovery Plan Phase 1 SOP : 3 August 2021 Edition!

 

Malaysia COVID-19 Recovery Plan : Phase 2 Updates

On 27 June 2021, MKN announced details for Phase 2 of the National COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

On 3 July 2021, MKN announced that five states met the requirements to transition to Phase 2 – Perlis, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. They also announced more updates to Phase 2.

On 5 July 2021, MKN announced that Penang met the requirements to transition to Phase 2.

On 6 July 2021, MKN announced that busking is now allowed in vaccination centres.

On 8 July 2021, MKN announced that Sabah met the requirements to transition to Phase 2.

On 19 July 2021, MKN announced these changes :

  • out-of-studio filming is ALLOWED subject to strict SOP
  • business premises can now open from 6 AM to 10 PM, including specialty stores (petrol stations).

On 3 August 2021, MKN announced these changes :

  • Up to 60% of public servants can now work in the office
  • Critical interviews are now allowed, either face-to-face, or online
  • Individual sports and recreational activities are now allowed within 10 km from your residence, from 6 AM until 10 PM.
  • Construction industry is now an essential service in Phase 2 areas.
  • Maintenance and repair works are allowed to proceed.
  • Road and highway construction work are allowed to proceed.

For the latest Phase 2 SOP, please see National Recovery Plan Phase 2 SOP : 3 August 2021 Edition!

 

Malaysia COVID-19 Recovery Plan : Phase 3 Updates

On 27 June 2021, the MKN announced these details for Phase 3 of the National COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

What Business Can Reopen In Phase 3

In Phase 3, all economic activities are allowed to resume, EXCEPT for high-risk activities in the negative list, like :

  • Spa
  • Pedicure and manicure
  • Pub and night club

Beauty saloons are ALLOWED to operate, subject to strict SOP.

Creative industry are ALLOWED in Phase 3, for example – live events without spectators.

Travel Restrictions

Inter-district travel is ALLOWED, but interstate travel is FORBIDDEN.

Up to three (3) people are allowed (including the driver) in public and private vehicles like taxi and e-hailing rides and personal vehicles.

Dining-In

Dining-in at restaurants is ALLOWED, but limited to two (2) persons per table, with physical distancing.

Education

The reopening of the education section, including schools, public and private institutes of higher learning, training institutes and other educational institutes under the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Housing and Local Government and Ministry of Rural Development and other agencies are to be determined by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education as well as the Ministry of Health.

Social Activities

Social activities are FORBIDDEN in Phase 3.

However, people will be ALLOWED to receive up to ten (10) guests or visitors at their homes at any one time.

Tourism

Tourism is ALLOWED only within the state.

The reopening of tourist attractions will be subject to risk assessments, and tight SOP.

On 4 August 2021, Perlis, Sarawak and Labuan were upgraded to Phase 3, based on this new SOP.

For the latest Phase 3 SOP, please see National Recovery Plan Phase 3 SOP : 4 August 2021 Edition!

 

Malaysia COVID-19 Recovery Plan : Phase 4 Updates

On 27 June 2021, the MKN announced these details for Phase 4 of the National COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

Phase 4 is when almost all economic and social sectors will be ALLOWED to reopen completely, subject to the existing SOP.

This is also when interstate travel will be permitted.

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Can Raw Chicken Infect You With COVID-19?

Can raw chicken infect you with COVID-19, if they were handled by infected workers?

Find out what keeps going viral, and what the FACTS really are!

 

Claim : Raw Chicken Can Infect You With COVID-19!

There have been warnings about the dangers of raw meat contaminated by workers infected with COVID-19.

These warnings are usually tied to claims of a factory being closed over COVID-19 exposure, or multiple COVID-19 cases.

Here is a new example :

31 people in the chicken factory in Menglembu Industrial Zone were infected, and many chickens with the virus have been sold to the whole Ipoh market.

Tell your family not to buy chicken recently, it is safer to go to the market less

 

Can Raw Chicken Infect You With COVID-19? Plausible But Not Probable

Now, I cannot confirm whether a chicken factory in Menglembu had a cluster of 31 workers infected with COVID-19. There is currently no news report of such an incident.

So let’s just consider the question – can raw chicken infect you with COVID-19? Here are the facts…

Fact #1 : Not Easy To Get Infected From Handling Food

Based on the fact that other coronaviruses and respiratory viruses can be transmitted through fomites – (contaminated objects), it is certainly plausible way to get infected handling such objects.

However, you cannot get infected just by touching them. You have to touch the contaminated objects and then touch your nose, mouth or eyes.

That is easily avoided by washing your hands before touching your face!

How often do you touch your face while handling raw chicken? Pretty sure no one wants to do that with their dirty hands!

Fact #2 : No Infected Cases From Handling Food

There was also consistent evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can persist on certain surfaces for days. That led to early recommendations for sanitisation of public spaces where known positive cases were present.

However, WHO points out there has been NO SPECIFIC REPORTS of anyone getting COVID-19 through fomite transmission.

The US CDC also has a specific page on the risk of getting infected by COVID-19 through contaminated food, where they concluded that as of 31 December 2020 :

  • Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that handling food or consuming food is associated with COVID-19.
  • Currently, no cases of COVID-19 have been identified where infection was thought to have occurred by touching food, food packaging, or shopping bags.
  • Although some people who work in food production and processing facilities have gotten COVID-19, there is no evidence of the virus spreading to consumers through the food or packaging that workers in these facilities may have handled.

Just make sure you WASH YOUR HANDS after handling raw chicken or other kinds of meat or produce, BEFORE touching your face!

I would also recommend wearing a face shield while handling raw meat or produce as it prevents you from accidentally touching your face.

Fact #3 : People FAR Riskier Than Contaminated Food

The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets from infected human beings.

So you are FAR more likely to get infected by an infected person, than handling raw chicken or other meat contaminated by infected workers at the meat factory.

That is why it is very important to maintain COVID-19 precautions while you are out in public.

It doesn’t matter if you are shopping in an air-conditioned supermarket, or buying groceries in an open-air market.

Just make it a habit to maintain those COVID-19 precautions AT ALL TIMES, as you never know who is infected with COVID-19.

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Sabah Upgraded To COVID-19 Recovery Phase 2!

MKN just announced that Sabah will be upgraded to Phase 2 of COVID-19 Recovery Plan from 10 July 2021 onwards!

Here is what we know so far!

 

Sabah Upgraded To COVID-19 Recovery Phase 2!

On 8 July 2021, the Malaysia National Security Council (MKN) announced that Sabah will be upgraded to Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Recovery Plan, starting 10 July 2021!

This decision was made after Sabah successfully achieved these three indicators of the COVID-19 Recovery Plan.

  • New cases averaging less than 12.2 cases per 100,000
  • Moderate ICU use capacity
  • Two dose vaccination rate exceeding 10%

 

Sabah Under COVID-19 Recovery Phase 2 : What Changes?

Government Operations During Phase 2

Government offices can conduct hybrid operations – both office and work from home using this approach :

  • Office capacity must not exceed 40% (not including frontliners, security, defence and law enforcement) and 60% must work from home, in turns.
  • All meetings and discussions must be conducted online through a safe and secure medium.
  • Counter services will be open.
  • Office attendance must be accompanied by official orders and worker passes.
  • Compliance with COVID-19 SOP.

What Business Can Reopen In Phase 2

These economic sectors can reopen under Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan. They will be allowed to operate from 8 AM until 8 PM daily.

Worker capacity in the private sector for essential services can be increased to 80%.

Manufacturing

  • Automotive (vehicles and components
  • Ceramics
  • Furniture factory for export
  • Rubber
  • Iron and steel
  • Cement

Trade + Distribution

  • Book and stationery stores
  • Computers and telecommunications
  • Electrical good
  • Carwashes
  • Barber and hair saloons (basic barber services only)

Travel Restrictions

Interstate and inter-district travel are still FORBIDDEN, except for school teachers and students who are sitting for examinations.

Interstate travel for long-distance couples are allowed, only for emergency and special cases with police approval.

Markets

Farmer’s markets and morning markets are allowed to operate from 7 AM until 11 AM, and limited to these six commodities :

  • vegetables
  • fruits
  • groceries
  • processed chicken
  • seafood
  • meat

Weekly markets, night markets and guest markets are FORBIDDEN to operate.

Sports + Recreation

All individual sporting and recreational activities, that do not involve physical touch, are ALLOWED.

Physical distance of at least 2 to 3 metres must be maintained.

 

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More Sectors Allowed To Open In Selangor EMCO Areas!

The Malaysian government has allowed more sectors to open in Selangor EMCO areas!

Find out what businesses and factories are allowed to reopen in EMCO areas in Selangor!

 

More Sectors Allowed To Open In Selangor EMCO Areas!

On 7 July 2021, the Malaysia Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) announced that a cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister agreed to allow more sectors to open in Selangor EMCO areas!

  • Electrical and electronics (E&E) and its supply chains
  • Aerospace (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO))
  • Machinery and equipment (M&E) for the production of healthcare and food products
  • Selected food and beverage manufacturing
    – Mineral water, chocolate malt, coffee, tea, fresh milk
    – Sugar, cooking oil, flour, rice, break, milk products, grains, milk powder, biscuits, sardine, instant noodles, condensed milk, evaporated milk, salt, vermicelli, noodles, sauces, soy sauce, spices, baby food, frozen food (chicken, beef, mutton, seafood, vegetables) and animal food.

 

Full List Of Allowed Sectors In Selangor EMCO Areas

A. Manufacturing Sector

  • Dry Food : sugar, cooking oil, flour, rice, break, milk products, grains, milk powder, biscuits, sardine, instant noodles, condensed milk, evaporated milk, salt, vermicelli, noodles, sauces, soy sauce, spices, baby food, animal food
  • Frozen Food : chicken, beef, mutton, seafood, vegetables
  • Drinks : mineral water, chocolate malt, coffee, tea, fresh milk
  • Self-care : baby diapers, adult diapers, medicines, hand sanitiser, face mask
  • Aerospace : Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)
  • Machinery and equipment (M&E) : only for the production of healthcare and food products
  • Electrical and electronics (E&E) : including its supply chains

* Only involves packaging, labelling and transportation

B. Service Sector

  • Water, electricity and energy
  • Healthcare
  • Banking
  • Veterinary and animal feed
  • Security (security and safety), defence, emergency, welfare and humanitarian aid
  • Land, water and air transportation
  • Shipyard and airport port services and operations, including unloading and cargo handling, lighter transport, piloting and storage or stockpiling of commodities
  • Hotels and lodging (only for the purpose of quarantine, segregation, essential service work and not for tourism)
  • Communications include media, telecommunications and the internet, post and courier as well as broadcasting (for the purpose of conveying news, information and the like)
  • Cleaning, solid waste management and sewerage
  • Information technology and E-commerce (for messaging and deliveries only).
  • Delivery of food, beverage and parcel, including p-hailing (parcel hailing)

* Any activity that is part of chain in this service sector list.

Recommended : KL + Selangor EMCO 3.0 SOP : 7 July 2021 Edition!

 

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No Need To Update MySejahtera Daily, Fines Cancelled!

MKN just clarified this controversy – there is NO NEED to update your COVID-19 status in MySejahtera every day!

Not only for the public, but also factory workers! Here are the details!

 

Update MySejahtera Daily, Or Get Fined?

For several days now, people were sharing a WhatsApp message about updating MySejahtera every alternate day to avoid a RM1,000 fine.

Dear all, you must refresh n update ur Mysejahtera every alternate day. If your profile showing last updates in Mar or Apr, you will kena saman RM1k. Yesterday Seapark market many policemen were checking everybody app and next week no more warning, straight 1k compound. Today groceries at Tesco, same thing. One lady check everybody app before allowing us to go in.

How to check:
tap at bottom right space bar, Your Profile,
You should see
As of 31st May 2021.

If it is not up-to-date,
Go to MySejahtera home.
Select Covid-19 status.
Answer the 6 questions. again, then submit.
Check again your profile.

Please make sure your my sejahtera is up to date.

Things ratcheted up when they started sharing a video of a police press conference, with a new warning – update MySejahtera every day, or face a RM2,000 fine!

 

No Need To Update MySejahtera Daily, Fines Cancelled!

We fact-checked the claims yesterday, noting that updating our COVID-19 status in MySejahtera isn’t even required in the General COVID-19 SOP or even the Manufacturing SOP.

But we still get people questioning our fact-check, so here is DEFINITIVE CONFIRMATION on this controversy. Please read this and STOP SHARING FAKE NEWS!

No Requirement To Update MySejahtera Every Day!

The Director General of the National Security Council (MKN) Mohd Rabin bin Basir confirmed that there is no requirement to update your COVID-19 status in MySejahtera every day.

It is not in the General COVID-19 SOP, and as we explained in our fact-check, it’s not even in the Manufacturing SOP.

In fact, the latest 31 May 2021 Manufacturing SOP only required daily COVID-19 status updates for workers who were found to be COVID-19 positive, or close contacts.

Only Update MySejahtera In Certain Situations

He confirmed this with Raja Zawawi from the Ministry of Health, who said that only those who experienced symptoms or travelled overseas should take the COVID-19 survey to update their status in MySejahtera.

Based on the questions, you only need to retake the COVID-19 survey test, and update your status in MySejahtera if :

  • you experienced symptoms like cough, breathing difficulty, loss of smell, loss of taste
  • attended events or went to a location associated with a COVID-19 cluster
  • travelled overseas before experiencing symptoms
  • been in close contact with any confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases before experiencing symptoms
  • been a MOH COVID-19 volunteer in the last 14 days

Factory Fines To Be Cancelled

The Director General of MKN “advised” the Manjung Police to “take appropriate action and request that the District Health Office cancel the fine“.

 

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RM2K Fine For Not Updating MySejahtera Status Every Day?

Is it true that you must update your MySejahtera status every day, or you could face a RM2,000 fine?

Find out what this new viral claim is all about, and what the FACTS really are!

Updated @ 2021-06-07 : Added update on the police being asked to cancel the fine.

Originally posted @ 2021-06-06

 

Claim : RM2K Fine For Not Updating MySejahtera Status Every Day!

For several days now, people were sharing a WhatsApp message about updating MySejahtera every alternate day to avoid a RM1,000 fine.

Dear all, you must refresh n update ur Mysejahtera every alternate day. If your profile showing last updates in Mar or Apr, you will kena saman RM1k. Yesterday Seapark market many policemen were checking everybody app and next week no more warning, straight 1k compound. Today groceries at Tesco, same thing. One lady check everybody app before allowing us to go in.

How to check:
tap at bottom right space bar, Your Profile,
You should see
As of 31st May 2021.

If it is not up-to-date,
Go to MySejahtera home.
Select Covid-19 status.
Answer the 6 questions. again, then submit.
Check again your profile.

Please make sure your my sejahtera is up to date.

Now, they are sharing a video of a police press conference, with a new warning – update MySejahtera every day, or face a RM2,000 fine!

Must update/ refresh your MySejahtera daily… if you go out. 🌿 Otherwise compound RM2000.

 

NO FINE For Not Updating MySejahtera COVID-19 Status!

All those warnings about updating your COVID-19 status on MySejahtera are FALSE.

You won’t get fined for not updating your MySejahtera status. There is no such requirement even in the latest MCO 3.0 full lockdown SOP.

Here are the facts…

Fact #1 : Not Mandatory To Update Your COVID-19 Status

The date in your profile merely states when you last took the COVID-19 Status survey.

It is good practice to update your COVID-19 status, but it is currently NOT MANDATORY.

Therefore, you do not need to fear getting a fine merely because you forgot to redo the COVID-19 status survey.

Fact #2 : SOP Does Not Require Daily COVID-19 Status Update!

The police press conference is genuine, but was misinterpreted. The 29 people who were fined RM 2,000 were all employees of a factory in Manjung, Perak.

According to the police, it is mandatory for factory employees to take the COVID-19 status survey in MySejahtera on a daily basis.

When the Manjung police went to inspect a factory in the Kampong Aceh Industrial Zone in Sitiawan, they found that 29 workers did not update their COVID-19 status in MySejahtera.

In their Facebook page, the Manjung police clarified that the workers were fined under the Manufacturing SOP, not the General (COVID-19) SOP which applies to the public.

However, the 31 May 2021 Manufacturing SOP only required daily COVID-19 status updates for workers who were found to be COVID-19 positive, or close contacts.

In both cases, the workers are supposed to be quarantined, so there is no question of them working, much less updating their MySejahtera COVID-19 status daily to check-in at the factory!

Fact #3 : MKN Confirmed This As False

A day after the fine was issued, the National Security Council (MKN) clarified that there is NO SUCH REQUIREMENT in the SOP.

The Director General of MKN also “advised” the Manjung Police to “take appropriate action and request that the District Health Office cancel the fine”.

Recommended : No Need To Update MySejahtera Daily, Fines Cancelled!

Fact #4 : COVID-19 Status Can Restrict Your Movements

Your COVID-19 status is important, because it may restrict you from entering public places like malls and even vaccination centres, as the graphic below shows.

However, it is not reliant on your input. Even if you do not update your COVID-19 status by taking the MySejahtera survey, your COVID-19 status may change because of contact tracing by the Ministry of Health.

If you happen to come into close contact with any COVID-19 positive person, your COVID-19 status in MySejahtera will change to reflect that, and you will be barred from entering public places.

That is why it is currently mandatory for public places like malls and vaccination centres to check your COVID-19 status before letting you in.

Recommended : MCO 3.0 Total Lockdown SOP : 3 June 2021 Update!

 

How To Update MySejahtera COVID-19 Status?

While it is not mandatory for the public to update the COVID-19 status in MySejahtera, it is still a good practice to take the survey once in a while.

This video, which was shared on social media, shows you how to update your COVID-19 status in MySejahtera.

For those who prefer a step-by-step guide with pictures, here is how you update your COVID-19 status in MySejahtera!

  1. Open MySejahtera.
  2. Tap Close in the default Check-in screen.
  3. Tap on COVID-19 Status.

  1. Click Start to begin the MySejahtera COVID-19 survey.
  2. Answer the six survey questions and tap Submit.

That’s it! You have successfully updated your COVID-19 status in MySejahtera.

If you go to your profile, you will see that the date has changed.

 

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MCO 3.0 Total Lockdown SOP : 3 June 2021 Update!

Here is the 3 June 2021 update of the MCO 3.0 total lockdown SOP of Malaysia, which many are calling FMCO (Full MCO)!

We will keep updating this guide, as and when they issue new SOPs!

Updated @ 2021-06-03 : Added the 2 June 2021 MCO 3.0 SOP video and list.
Updated @ 2021-05-31 : Added the full lockdown SOP list of PERMITTED and FORBIDDEN activities.
Originally posted @ 2021-05-30

 

MCO 3.0 Total Lockdown : Phase 1 SOP Starts 1 June 2021!

On 29 May 2021, the Malaysia Prime Minister’s Department announced that the National Security Council (MKN) decided to order Total Lockdown Phase 1.

From 1 June until 14 June 2021, there will be a complete lockdown of the social and economic sectors across the country.

This new lockdown SOP will apply ACROSS Malaysia – no states are exempted.

Recommended : Malaysia To Undergo TOTAL LOCKDOWN Phase 1!

 

MCO 3.0 Total Lockdown SOP : 2 June 2021 Edition!

Here is a video showing the 2 June 2021 edition of the total lockdown SOP for MCO 3.0, which people are calling Full MCO or FMCO.

 

MCO 3.0 Total Lockdown SOP : Essential Services

All social and economic activities are FORBIDDEN, except for these 17 essential services :

  1. Food and beverages, including for animals
  2. Healthcare and medical services, including dietary supplements, veterinarian services, etc.
  3. Water supply
  4. Energy supply
  5. Security and safety, defence, emergency, social and humanitarian services
  6. Waste disposal and public sanitisation and sewerage
  7. Land, water and air transportation
  8. Port, shipyard, airport services and operations, including loading, unloading, cargo handling and piloting, storage or transportation of commodities
  9. Communications including media, telecommunications and Internet, post and courier, as well as broadcasting (for the purpose of conveying information, news and the like.
  10. Banking, insurance, takaful and capital markets
  11. Community credit services (mortgage and Ar-rahnu)
  12. E-commerce and information technology
  13. Production, distillation, storage, supply and distribution of fuels and lubricants
  14. Hotels and accommodation (only for quarantine purposes, segregation, employment for essential services and not for tourism).
  15. Critical construction, maintenance and repair
  16. Forestry services (limited to enforcement) and wildlife
  17. Logistics limited to delivery of essential services

 

MCO 3.0 Total Lockdown SOP : Essential Industries

All industries are FORBIDDEN, except for the following sectors :

Manufacturing (60% employee capacity)

  1. Aerospace (components and maintenance, repair and overhaul – MRO)
  2. Food and beverage
  3. Packaging and printing materials, only related to food and health
  4. Personal care and cleaning products
  5. Healthcare and medical products, including dietary supplements
  6. Personal care items, personal protective equipment (PPE), including rubber gloves and fire safety equipment
  7. Components for medical devices.
  8. Electrical and electronics of global economic chain importance
  9. Oil and gas, including petrochemicals and petrochemical products
  10. Chemical products
  11. Machinery and equipment for health and food products
  12. Textiles for PPE production only
  13. Production, distillation, storage, supply and distribution of fuels and lubricants

Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock, Plantation and Commodities (“optimal” employee capacity)

  1. Agriculture, fisheries and livestock and their supply chains – for example, shops selling fertilisers and pesticides, or oil palm fruit processing factories are allowed to operate
  2. Oil palm, rubber, pepper and cocoa plantation and commodities including their supply chains

Construction (“optimal” employee capacity)

  1. Critical maintenance and repair works
  2. Major public infrastructure and construction works
  3. Building construction works that provide complete employee accommodation at construction sites, or workers that are housed in Centralised Workers Quarters (CLQ).

Trade + Distribution (8 AM until 8 PM daily)

  1. Shopping malls must be CLOSED, except for supermarkets, hypermarkets, departmental stores and premises selling food and beverages, essential items, pharmacy, personal care, convenience store, mini mart, and restaurants for takeaway and home delivery.
  2. Supermarkets, hypermarkets, pharmacies, personal care stores, convenience stores, mini marts and grocery stores, as well as departmental stores are allowed to open, but RESTRICTED to their food, beverage and essential item sections only.
  3. Restaurants, stalls and food outlets – only for takeaways, drive-through or food delivery
  4. Laundry services, including self-service laundromats
  5. Pet care and pet food stores
  6. Eyewear and optical goods stores
  7. Hardware stores
  8. Vehicle workshops, maintenance and spare parts
  9. E-commerce – all product categories
  10. Wholesale and distribution – for all essential products only

 

MCO 3.0 Total Lockdown SOP : The Full List

Note : Any activity NOT mentioned in this SOP is FORBIDDEN.

Travel Restrictions

  1. Interstate or inter-district travel is FORBIDDEN.
  2. Up to two (2) people from each household are allowed to go out to purchase food, medicine, dietary supplements and other daily essentials.
  3. Up to three (3) people, including the patient, are allowed to go out from each household to seek medical treatment, healthcare, screening test, security assistance or other emergencies within a radius of no more than 10 kilometres from their home, or the nearest available service (if there are none within 10 km).
  4. Up to two (2) people are allowed in each taxi or e-hailing ride, including the driver. The passenger must be seated in the rear compartment.
  5. Commercial vehicles carrying essential goods are allowed to carry people up to the licensed limit.
  6. Official government vehicles are allowed to carry up to their maximum capacity.
  7. All airports and ports are allowed to operate as usual.
  8. Sea and land public transportation services, like employee transportation, public buses, express buses, LRT, MRT, ERL, monorail and ferry are allowed to operate at 50% of vehicle capacity.
  9. Travel for funerals and natural disasters are allowed with police permission.
  10. NGOs travelling to assist with natural or humanitarian disasters must obtain permission from the State / District Disaster Management Committee, and the aid must be funnelled through the Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB).
  11. Interstate / inter-district travel for the purpose of COVID-19 vaccination is ALLOWED with the display of vaccine appointment on MySejahtera, website or SMS.
  12. Members of Parliament or State Assembly are ALLOWED to cross state or district lines.
  13. Interstate travel is FORBIDDEN for couples in long-distance relationships.
  14. Short-term business visitors are ALLOWED for official or business purposes under the One Stop Centre (OSC) Initiative, with police permission

General Health Protocols

  1. Premise owners and business licence holders must ensure that customers enter and leave the premises with a minimum physical distance of 1 metre.
  2. Premise owners and business licence holders are OBLIGATED to provide the MySejahtera QR Code and a logbook to register visits by their customers.
  3. Hand sanitisers must be provided at entry points, and customers must use them before entering the premise.
  4. The use of MySejahtera is MANDATORY in areas with good Internet connectivity. The use of a logbook is only allowed in areas with no Internet connectivity or reasonable excuses (senior citizens, no smartphone, etc.)
  5. Premise owners and business licence holders must ensure that customers check in using MySejahtera, or writing their name and telephone number manually if there is no Internet connectivity.
  6. In shopping malls, customers only need to scan their body temperatures ONCE at the mall entry point. It is not necessary to scan their body temperature at every premise in the mall.
  7. Those with body temperatures exceeding 37.5 degrees Celsius are NOT ALLOWED to enter.
  8. Malls and premise owners must ensure that only customers with Low Risk or Casual Contact Low Risk in MySejahtera are allowed to enter.
  9. Children 12 years or younger are NOT allowed in public places and facilities, EXCEPT in emergencies, treatment, education or exercise.
  10. Premise owners and business licence holders must restrict the number of customers within their premises to ensure at least 1 metre physical distancing.
  11. Every premise must publicly display the limit of customers allowed inside at any one time. The use of a numbered queue system is encouraged to control the number of customers.
  12. All building owners must provide QR Codes for each floor / level.
  13. It is MANDATORY for employees, suppliers and customers to properly wear face masks while within the premise.
  14. There must be good ventilation and aeration at the premise.
  15. It is MANDATORY to wear a face mask, especially in crowded public areas, EXCEPT in these places or situations :
    a) hotel room or paid accommodation, alone or with your own family
    b) Personal working space
    c) Sporting activities and outdoor recreation
    d) Personal vehicle, alone or with your own family
    e) Indoor or outdoor public areas, when there are no other individuals
    f) While eating or drinking in public areas, when there are no other individuals (except in restaurants or other food & beverage premises)

Civil + Private Employees 

  1. Civil servants must work from home (WFH) completely, except for frontliners, security, defence and enforcement.
  2. Office attendance for essential services in the civil service must not exceed 20% at any one time, and must emphasise work that cannot be performed at home, like payment, maintenance, security, technical management, online meetings and ministerial documentation.
  3. Civil servants going to office must receive official attendance order and worker’s pass.
  4. Employee capacity for the private sector (essential services only) is limited to 60%, including both operations and management.
  5. Approved essential services must have official approval from 1 June 2021 onwards. Employee travel is limited to approved operations letter or worker’s pass or employer’s letter of authority.
  6. Meetings must be conducted via video conferencing.
  7. Seminars, workshops, courses, training and talks are FORBIDDEN, except through online methods or in-service training through Camp-Based Training.

Allowed Business + Services

  1. Restaurants, food shops, food stalls, food trucks, hawkers, food courts, hawker centres. food kiosks are ALLOWED to operate from 8 AM until 8 PM for takeaway, drive-through or delivery.
  2. Dine-in and park & dine services, and picnics are FORBIDDEN.
  3. Grocers and convenience stores are ALLOWED to operate from 8 AM until 8 PM.
  4. Hardware stores, vehicle workshops, childcare stores and religious stores are ALLOWED to operate from 8 AM until 8 PM.
  5. Healthcare services like hospitals, clinics and medical laboratories are ALLOWED to operate 24 hours, or up to their licensed operating hours.
  6. Pharmacies can operate from 8 AM until 8 PM.
  7. Petrol stations can operate from 6 AM until 8 PM, except for those on tolled highways which can operate 24 hours.
  8. Supermarkets, shopping malls, pharmacies, personal care stores, convenience stores, mini markets and departmental stores can only open sections limited to food, drinks and essential items, from 8 AM until 8 PM.
  9. Veterinarian clinics and pet food stores are ALLOWED to open from 8 AM until 8 PM.
  10. Laundry services and optical stores are allowed to operate from 8 AM until 8 PM. Self-service laundromats must ensure an employee is present on-premise.
  11. Daily and public markets are ALLOWED to open from 6 AM until 2 PM, subject to the local authorities, proper SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision.
  12. Controlled Fresh Produce Market (PST) are ALLOWED to open from 7 AM until 12 noon.
  13. Permanent Farm Market (PTK), MyFarm Outlet (MFO) and Local Farmer’s Association Complex (PPK) are ALLOWED to open from 6 AM until 4 PM.
  14. Wholesale markets are ALLOWED to open from 12:01 AM until 6 AM, and from 11 AM until 4 PM, subject to the local authorities, proper SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision.
  15. Night markets, farmer’s market, weekly markets and guest markets are FORBIDDEN
  16. Fishing for livelihood is ALLOWED.

Education

  1. All public and private institutes of tertiary education, tahfiz centres and other educational institutes must CLOSE.
  2. Tertiary education will continue ONLINE.
  3. All public and private schools and education institutes, tuition centres, language centres, skill centres, counselling centres, etc. must CLOSE.
  4. Only international exams at international and expatriate schools are allowed.
  5. All face-to-face learning are FORBIDDEN, except for tertiary education students who require them.
  6. International and professional exams, as well as research activities requiring lab access in tertiary education facilities are ALLOWED.
  7. Students in boarding schools or universities are ALLOWED to continue using hybrid studies.
  8. Private and public kindergartens, kindergartens in private, international and expatriate schools and mind development centres for children 4 to 6 years old are NOT ALLOWED to operate, except for parents who are frontliners or both working.
  9. Home care or rehabilitation centres of children, the disabled (OKU), senior citizens, women and other care facilities are allowed to operate, subject to the SOP.

Religion

  1. Prayer activities are limited to a maximum of 12 mosque and surau committee members only. All other activities are FORBIDDEN.
  2. Islamic wedding ceremony (akad nikah) is ALLOWED only in the Islamic Religious Office / Department with the attendance capacity set by the State Religious Authority.
  3. Burial activities are allowed according to limits set by the State Religion Authority (Islam) or the National Unity Ministry (Non-Muslim).
  4. Non-Muslim houses of worship are limited to 12 committee members only, and congregants are NOT ALLOWED.
  5. Non-Muslim marriage registrations are allowed at the National Registration Department (JPN), houses of worship and religious associations, subject to limits set by JPN.

Sports + Recreation

  1. Individual sports and recreational activities without physical contact in open spaces are LIMITED to jogging and exercise with physical distancing of 2-3 metres within the neighbourhood, from 7 AM until 8 PM.
  2. Centralised training programs, including closed quarantined competitions using Camp Based Training are ALLOWED.
  3. Centralised training programs with quarantine by State Sports Councils using Camp Based Training are ALLOWED.
  4. Centralised training programs including quarantined training competitions for teams in the Malaysian Football League (MFL) using Camp Based Training are ALLOWED.

Creative Industry

  1. Development and broadcasting of creative content through recording or live broadcasts include animation, filming, drama, promotions, sitcoms and the like, including dance, art activities theatre, musical arts, cultural and heritage performances as well as the music are FORBIDDEN, except for individual discussions and live-streaming.

 

MCO 3.0 Total Lockdown SOP : NEGATIVE LIST

These activities are FORBIDDEN.

  1. Spa, reflexology, massage, wellness, beauty, barber and hair saloons, pedicure and manicure
  2. Cybercafes and cybercenters
  3. Driving schools, maritime training centres, flight schools
  4. Photography activities
  5. Gambling, horse racing and casinos
  6. Factory manufacturing alcoholic beverages, and shops selling alcoholic beverages
  7. Night clubs or pubs
  8. Cinemas
  9. Official and unofficial public and private events
  10. Feasts, festivals, weddings, engagements, receptions, aqiqah ceremonies, tahlil, anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, retreats and other social events.
  11. Receiving guests or visitors at home, except in emergencies or for delivery services.
  12. Seminars, workshops, courses, training, conferences, exhibitions, lectures and all MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) events that are face-to-face.
  13. Tourist attractions like zoos, farms, aquariums, edutainment centres, extreme parks, adventure parks, nature parks, etc.
  14. Souvenir and craft shops, culture and historical premises like museums, libraries, art galleries, native art and culture, stage performance, etc.
  15. Theme parks, family entertainment centres, indoor playgrounds, karaoke, etc.
  16. Interdistrict and interstate tourism – Overseas travel by citizens, and local travel involving foreigners.
  17. All sports and recreation activities EXCEPT those listed in this SOP.
  18. All sports and recreation premises and facilities, except public pars which are subject to the local authorities. – Sports and recreation that involve groups or physical contact.
  19. International or local championships, competitions, and matches, EXCEPT those organised by the National Sports Council and training matches for teams under the Malaysian Football League (MFL).
  20. Sports or recreational activities that cross district and state lines, EXCEPT with police permission.
  21. Hotel lounge performances
  22. Indoor or outdoor busking
  23. Any activity that involves many people gathering in one place until it is hard to maintain physical distancing, and compliance with the Director General of Health’s orders.
  24. Any other matter that may be decided by the Government from time to time.

 

Help Support My Work!

If you would like to support my work, you can do so via bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card.

Name : Adrian Wong

Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
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