SELF REGULATION
Businesses that are not confident about safety of workers and customers can remain closed
CMCO starts today but some states have opted not to ease restrictions yet. The govt stresses that businesses not confident of ensuring people and staff’s safety can remain closed, and people who venture outside without good reason do so at their own risk.
BUSINESSES opening today following the implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) must heed the standard operating procedure (SOP), failing which action will be taken against them.
At the same time, business operators who were not confident that they could ensure the safety of workers and customers had the option to remain closed.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said it was up to business operators to decide if they wanted to resume operations.
“For example, it was announced that dining in at restaurants is allowed, subject to the SOP under the CMCO.
“But it’s up to restaurant operators to decide if they want to allow dine-ins on their premises or maintain only takeaways or delivery services, given that some are uncomfortable (with the Covid-19 situation in the country),” said Ismail Sabri in his daily press briefing here yesterday.
“Restaurant operators are not forced to do so (allowing dinein’s).
“They, however, must abide by the SOP, such as the operational hours for their premises.”
On Friday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the government would reopen the economy by allowing certain businesses and social activities to resume during the CMCO.
Ismail Sabri said a maximum of four family members from the same house would be allowed to travel in a single vehicle during the CMCO.
The issue of social distancing among family members living in the same household, he said, did not arise.
However, he said, there might be errant quarters who would travel with their friends, which would be a breach of the CMCO.
“Please adhere to the SOP introduced for this period. Action will be taken against those who fail to comply.”
He said the public transportation system, which will be fully operational starting today, would be allowed to carry only half of its normal complement of commuters.
This, he said, was to ensure that social distancing was exercised by passengers.
He said people who wished to venture outside without any reason were doing so at their own risk.
“If there is no need for you to go outside, do not proceed. Go out only if you wish to get essentials or food.
“People have the responsibility of taking care of themselves and loved ones from the risk of being infected by Covid-19.”
Ismail Sabri urged the public to exercise self-discipline and selfregulation.
“Health experts have suggested that a vaccine will be ready only in two years.
“At the same time, the government cannot afford to enforce the MCO for two years.”
He urged people to emulate the self-discipline shown among the people in Taiwan, which is one of the countries with the lowest Covid-19 fatalities.
“I hope people here can do the same since it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of yourself and members of your family.”
He urged the public to lodge reports if they come across those violating the SOP under the CMCO.