KOTA KINABALU: It is good news for scuba diving enthusiasts, as the state government today announced the resumption of diving activities.
Sabah Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the National Security Council (NSC) has agreed with the state's decision to lift tourism restrictions for diving by taking into consideration that such recreational activity does not require physical touch.
"Diving activity can be carried out subject to certain conditions (such as) that a boat transporting divers to dive sites must not exceed 30 per cent of the carrying capacity, including the skipper.
"This is to ensure physical distancing is practiced (among divers on the boat)," he said.
While diving is allowed, Masidi said the activity should only be done within a district and that the diving location is not under Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).
He stressed that divers or dive operators are not allowed to travel from one district to another for diving, noting that inter-district travel is still restricted under the current standard operating procedures (SOP) for the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
Masidi said that the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry will be issuing specific SOP for diving activity, soon.