KUALA LUMPUR: The Klang Valley and Melaka will enter Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) effective Monday.
Kelantan, Perak, Penang, Sabah and Kedah, meanwhile, will move from Phase 2 to Phase 3.
This was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob after chairing the Covid-19 Pandemic Management Special Committee Meeting today.
He said the decision to transition the states was made based on the dip in fresh Covid-19 infections, decline in overall infectivity rate, or R-naught, and the high adult vaccination rate.
"Based on the daily Covid-19 positive case reported by the Health Ministry, the country recorded less than 10,000 new positive cases daily for two consecutive weeks.
"The infectivity rate or R-naught also continued to decline, registering a figure below the 1.0 level at 0.86.
"As of yesterday, the vaccination rate of the adult population for the first dose stood at 95 per cent, while those who have received two doses of the vaccine stood at 91.2 per cent and is expected to continue to increase," he said in a statement today.
Ismail Sabri said the phase transition follows the guidelines set by the National Recovery Plan (NRP) and the percentage of fully-vaccinated adult population.
"With the phase transition for the states stated, Malaysia as a whole is now moving into Phase 3."
Ismail Sabri said the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for states entering Phases 3 and 4 are available on the National Security Council (NSC) official website at www.mkn.gov.my.
He said the special committee has also agreed to relax several SOPs, including for inbound travellers and pilgrims.
He said the government has decided to reduce the Surveillance and Observation Order period for inbound travellers from other countries, starting Oct 18.
"Foreign travellers who are fully-immunised will be subjected to a seven-day home quarantine (if applicable) or at the quarantine station.
"Travellers without or with incomplete vaccination will have to undergo a 10-day quarantine period at the quarantine station," he said.
This, he said, also applies to the Surveillance and Observation Order period for close contacts.
"Close contacts with a complete vaccination will undergo a seven-day home quarantine, while those unvaccinated or with incomplete vaccination will have to quarantine themselves at home for 10 days."
Ismail Sabri said the SOP for travelling for umrah purposes which was presented at the Pandemic Management Technical Working Group Meeting dated Sept 27, was gazetted in line with the announcement of interstate and overseas travel approval starting Oct 11.
Accordingly, he said pilgrims are permitted to perform the umrah in accordance with the government's decision to abolish the MyTravelPass for overseas travel, effective Oct 18.
He said Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) will be allowed in Phase 3 states, to be held face-to-face and involving people who have been fully-vaccinated, effective Oct 18.
"They are, however, subjected to several conditions. They will have to perform the Covid-19 screening test (pre-event test) through saliva test or RTK-Antigen method; comply with the physical distancing ruling; wear a face mask; and operate at a 50 per cent capacity according to space."
The government, said Ismail Sabri, has also agreed to reopen cyber centres and cybercafe services effective Oct 17, with an 80 per cent capacity for states in Phase 3 and 100 per cent capacity for Phase 4 states.
He said rest and recreational (R&R) areas along all highways nationwide will be allowed to operate round-the-clock starting tomorrow.
E-hailing vehicles are allowed to pick up passengers based on vehicle seat capacity for all phases under the NRP effective Saturday, he said.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the meeting today had also agreed to implement a pilot test and release (T&R) protocol programme with strict and limited travel conditions or itineraries for official visits to identified groups of travellers.
This, he said, applies to the head of state, ministers, deputy ministers, the various menteri besar and chief ministers, state government executive council members, members of parliament and government officials.
"The implementation of this pilot programme comes into effect on Oct 18 and will be extended to business travellers in the near future.
"Among the conditions imposed include travellers must submit the application within the prescribed period along with supporting documents to the National Security Council and Health Ministry for approval.
"They must undergo a PCR test three days before returning to Malaysia and take the PCR test upon arrival at any of the country's entry points."
These conditions, said Ismail Sabri, only applies to travellers arriving from low-risk countries and to fully-vaccinated individuals.
"The government hopes that with these relaxations, the people will fully benefit from them with full discipline and a sense of responsibility.
"Adhere to every SOP set, wear a face mask, observe physical distancing and always maintain personal hygiene and safety," he added.