KUALA LUMPUR: Dine-ins are now allowed for individuals who have completed their vaccination in states currently under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Caretaker Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a statement said this would take effect from tomorrow (Aug 20).
The criteria for fully vaccinated individuals include having completed 14 days after receiving the second dose of the vaccines (for Pfizer, AstraZeneca, dan Sinovac) and 28 days for single-dose vaccines (Johnson & Johnson dan CanSino).
"Owners of dining premises must ensure that those who come into their premises to dine-in are required to show their Covid-19 vaccination digital certificate stating that the individual has been fully vaccinated," he said.
He said the decision for SOP relaxation was made during the National Security Council meeting which took into account the positive development that more than 50 per cent of adult population in the country have been fully vaccinated.
"This was achieved earlier than the (previously announced) targeted date of Aug 31, 2021," he said.
He urged couples who want to bring along their children aged 17 and below to dine-in at restaurants to follow strict SOP.
"I would like to suggest for eatery operators to have more outdoor seatings for their customers for better air circulation. Risk of Covid-19 infection is higher indoors," he said.
Dine-in at cafes or restaurants at clubhouse premises are also allowed, he said.
"However the operation of changing rooms or shower areas in clubhouse premises are not allowed."
Muhyiddin said revised SOP relaxations for individuals who have completed their Covid-19 vaccinations also covered sports, recreation and leisure activities that are without physical contact and not in groups (for outdoor activities).
"Jogging, exercise, tai-chi, cycling, skateboarding, fishing, equestrian, archery, hiking, tennis (singles), badminton (singles), golf, motorsport amongst others are allowed.
"Other activities that are allowed are picnics and camping. Participation of children aged 17 and under is allowed with strict adherence to SOP," he said.
The activities can only be carried out for individuals in their own districts only, between 6am to 10pm, he said.
Meanwhile, he said the NSC also decided to allow the operation of night markets and weekend markets from tomorrow.
As such, he urged relevant authorities and premises owners to ensure that only fully vaccinated individuals would be allowed to enter the markets.
"I would like to emphasise that the relevant ministry and the supervising agency, together with owners of the premises, will be fully responsible for the implementation of the (revised) SOP to ensure that they are carried out in accordance with the rules and guidelines.
"If infections are detected in the premises, the Health Ministry will immediately take appropriate action, including making a revised risk re-assessment and will not hesitate to immediately order the premises to close, as well as issuing compounds to SOP violators," he added.
Muhyiddin had earlier chaired a special meeting with the NSC.
"Further details about the relaxations will be made available by the NSC soon," he said in a statement today.