More funds to speed up vaccination drive
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will increase the allocation for the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) from RM3 billion to RM5 billion to accelerate the target of achieving herd immunity by December.
This allocation would be provided under Pemerkasa’s Focus One (Controlling the spread of Covid-19). It was previously announced that the target of achieving herd immunity was set for the first quarter of next year.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said to achieve herd immunity by December, 15,000 public service officers would be placed at nearly 950 vaccination centres across the country.
“With this, the government has agreed that the Covid-19 special aid of RM200 monthly be extended to include public service officers, who are involved in the immunisation programme at the vaccination centres.”
Muhyiddin also said the government might not need to implement a nationwide or statewide Movement Control Order (MCO) after taking into account the implementation of the NIP. Instead, it would enforce targeted MCO based on localities or clusters that arise.
To ensure that employers provided a conducive work and living environment for their employees, the Safe@Work initiative was announced. This was also under Focus One of Pemerkasa.
Muhyiddin said companies that registered for Safe@Work with the International Trade and Industry Ministry would be allowed to operate in a situation where close contact workers were isolated from the local community and colleagues by placing them in a “safe work bubble” until all close contact workers tested negative for Covid-19.
“As an incentive for companies to enrol in this programme, the government has agreed to give additional tax deductions on premises and workers’ hostel rentals to both manufacturing companies and service companies related to manufacturing.
“The expenditure eligible for this additional tax deduction is limited to RM50,000 for every company registered with the International Trade and Industry Ministry, and has passed the Safe@Work compliance audit.”
Muhyiddin also said employers who arranged Covid-19 tests for their employees were eligible for tax deductions until Dec 31.