KUALA LUMPUR: People in the Klang Valley remained cautious about going to public places despite the government's decision to shift Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya into Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Checks at a mall and transportation hub here did not find large crowds despite the green light on inter-district travels in the region.
At Nu Sentral, members of the public could be seen slowly returning to the mall. Among them was Nurulhidayah Nasruddin, 27, who just completed her second dose of AstraZeneca three weeks ago.
"It's good to be able to visit the mall after months of staying home due to restrictions of movement," she said.
Nurulhidayah, however, said her was at the mall to stock up her daily necessities and buy some books.
"Yes, I do feel safe to go to the mall as some shops only allow those who have completed their vaccination to enter.
"(But) we should never let our guard down and always adhere to the standard operating procedures. Only go out if necessary," she said.
A lifestyle shop sales assistant who declined to be named said it was expected that a steady stream of the crowd to take place today.
"Before this, only those who are working and living nearby come to shop here. (But) with the green light for inter-state and inter-district travel for those in Selangor and Putrajaya, we are expecting more customers here from today," he said.
Checks at several eateries in the mall also saw customers being asked to show their digital vaccination certificates on the MySejahtera app before being allowed to dine-in.
Currently, dining in would be allowed only for those who had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced that Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Putrajaya to move into Phase 2 of the NRP starting Friday (Sept 10).
Checks at Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral) saw not many commuters at the transportation hub.
Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Abdul Hadi Amran when contacted said no significant increase in ridership was recorded today, despite Klang Valley's transition into Phase 2 of the NRP.
He, however, said that Rapid Rail was expecting an increase in the number of rail passengers from Monday onwards.
On Thursday, Rapid KL in a statement said it would increase its train and bus frequencies starting Friday, following the government's new ruling on the NRP for Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Putrajaya.
Rapid KL said the decision was due to the anticipation of a higher volume of passengers, along with the adjustments would also ensure that passengers can expect a shorter waiting period for train and bus services.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Police Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Assistant Commissioner Sarifudin Mohd Salleh when contacted said a significant increase in vehicle volume into Kuala Lumpur could be seen today since morning.
"There is a noticeable increase in the number of vehicles coming into the city centre. However, it is still smooth flowing and under control.
"(But) we are expecting more vehicles into Kuala Lumpur from now on, especially during peak hours and on weekends, with the transition of Klang Valley into Phase 2 of the NRP."