KUALA LUMPUR: Theme park and zoo operators are raring to go after about a month of shutdown, with the hygiene and safety of visitors of paramount importance as they resume operations today.
Operators said they have cleaned and sanitised their premises, as well as implemented standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Health Ministry, ahead of the reopening.
Sunway Theme Parks executive director Calvin Ho said the company looked forward to welcoming visitors to the Sunway Lagoon and Lost World of Tambun theme parks tomorrow.
He said both parks have stepped up health and safety measures from the previous SOP.
"We will reopen our theme parks with only 30 per cent of our capacity, even though 50 per cent is permitted by the government.
"High touch-point areas and rides will be sanitised after each cycle, while our pools will be sanitised every two hours and physical distancing (will be practised) at all our stations.
"We are one step ahead of this pandemic.
"Our hotel rooms are disinfected and sanitised after our guests leave.
"We will seal the rooms with a safety sticker so our guests can stay with confidence."
Ho said the company hoped the authorities would consider implementing the Conditional Movement Control Order only in affected zones, along with carrying out Covid-19 screenings.
"With the rolling out of the vaccination programme nationwide, this will be a game-changer for Malaysia and expedite the recovery of the tourism industry."
Legoland Malaysia Resort divisional director C.S. Lim said cleaning work was under way to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and compliance with the SOP.
"Along with temperature screening and guest registration upon entry, we are doing beyond what generally most people will do.
"These include the limitation of capacity to 30 per cent, compared with the permitted 50 per cent as announced by the government, to ensure better physical distancing and crowd control.
"We also do higher frequency of cleaning, especially at touch points, be it rides, tables, chairs, or service counters, as well as placing hygienic screening at the cashier at reception counters.
"On top of that, we have a lot of special markers and kid-friendly signages to remind visitors to adhere to the SOP and practise physical distancing."
He said in terms of payment, Legoland would push for contactless payment and offer an e-menu at restaurants.
"Rest assured that we are doing our best to ensure our guests' safety and hygiene throughout their visit."
He said these measures would also boost the confidence of employees and the community, too.
He said Legoland Hotel and Sea Life was set to open on March 11, followed by Legoland Theme Park and Water Park the next day.
On the number of guests they expect to have once Legoland reopens, Lim said it was a completely different game this time.
During the good days, he said, Legoland would get thousands of visitors daily.
"With state borders remaining closed, we will be getting visitors only from Johor.
"We have a lot of annual pass holders, with the majority coming from Johor Baru."
He hoped state borders would reopen soon, and subsequently, international borders.
"We need to plan on getting international arrivals back, be it visa on arrival or vaccination passport holders, where tourists need not undergo quarantine, or else we will lose (them) to our neighbouring countries."
Also raring to reopen is Zoo Negara.
Its deputy president, Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana, said the national zoo will reopen today.
"Preparations are under way for the reopening, with interesting and new performances being lined up for the visitors."
He urged visitors to follow the SOP, including pracitising physical distancing at all times at the zoo.
To encourage people to visit the zoo, he said walk-in visitors would get 20 per cent off for tickets.
"We hope to see more than 500 visitors on the first day of our reopening."
Zoo Negara temporarily closed its doors with the implementation of the Movement Control Order on Jan 13.
The zoo also had to close its doors last year following the implementation of the Movement Control Order on March 18.
The zoo reopened on June 10 last year during the Recovery MCO, but had to shut again following the implementation of the Conditional MCO on Oct 14. Then it reopened again on Dec 18.