PUTRAJAYA: Perlis, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang will be among the first states in the country to move into Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) starting Monday (July 5).
This follows the decision by the National Security Council to allow the states to transit into the next phase of the NRP once they have met the respective threshold indicators for each of the phases.
The matter was announced during a joint press conference between Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz today.
Ismail Sabri, who is also the Senior Defence Minister, said among the changes for the states entering the second phase included more activities for the trade and distribution sectors.
"Among the activities allowed to operate included book and stationery shops, computer and telecommunication outlets, car wash as well as barbershop but only for hair cuts," he said.
Inter-district and inter-state movement, said Ismail Sabri, were still prohibited for the five states.
Exemption, however, would be given for school teachers and students required to attend classes to prepare for their examinations.
He added that exemption would also be given to long-distance couples staying in states placed under the Second Phase of the NRP.
"The exemptions for long-distance couples to travel between districts and states (placed under the Second Phase of the NRP) would only be given for emergency and special cases subjected to permission by the police.
"Special cases, for example, includes if the wife is in labour or wife with small children who are not well and required the presence of her husband.
"They must however obtain permission from the police," he said.
Ismail Sabri added that agro-markets and morning markets are also allowed to operate from 7 am and 11 am daily under the Second Phase.
"These markets are limited to sell the following commodities namely vegetables, fruits, grocery items, processed chicken, seafood and meat," he said.