MCO: Recreational fishing, driving institutes, gymnasiums allowed to operate from Feb 12 - Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11  -- Business premises related to fishing activities, like fishing ponds, houseboats, fishing platforms, raft houses and fishing boats, will be allowed to resume operation beginning tomorrow with strict standard operating procedures (SOP) during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.

Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government had also agreed to allow driving institutes, flight training centres, gymnasiums, badminton halls and golf courses to resume operation. 

“The government had previously permitted fishing activities for the purpose of earning a living under the fisheries sector. But we received many appeals from operators of fishing ponds, houseboats and fishing boats, who had lost their sources of income,” he said at the media conference on the MCO today.

He said the opening of all these sectors was decided after a risk evaluation was carried out with various agencies in the MCO Technical Committee. 

He said that the Youth and Sports Ministry also submitted applications for the resumption of other individual and non-contact sports activities.

“After carrying out the risk evaluation, the government agreed to allow jogging, brisk walking, cycling and exercises which are limited to two people to be carried out in their neighbourhoods only as well as tennis, badminton and table-tennis (singles events only) and motor-racing (two-wheel and four-wheel). 

“In addition, other activities permitted are individual training for group sports like football, basketball, hockey and sepak takraw,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the use of sports and recreational facilities, such as tennis and badminton courts, gymnasiums and motor-racing circuits, must be scheduled and by appointment only, while walk-ins are not allowed so as to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Ismail Sabri said that golf, gymnasium, badminton, tennis and table-tennis activities are subject to standard operating procedures (SOP), among them physical distancing in gymnasiums, number of individuals in the premises according to existing capacity and proper distancing in equipment arrangements.

He said further details regarding the SOP could be obtained at the National Security Council (MKN) website. 

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said that fishing pond entrepreneurs who wished to operate would need to register with their respective local authorities (PBT) and the Fisheries Department, while owners of raft house and fishing platforms only need to register with the PBT.

“All premises must ensure physical distancing of at least two metres between each angler. Seating spots for anglers must be clearly marked and the premises must also register customers via MySejahtera, prepare hand sanitisers or soaps for washing hands, carry out temperature checks and sanitise the premises. The operating hours are from 8 am to 10 pm,” he said. 

He said that boathouses and rental boats wishing to operate must register with the PBT and Fisheries Department while the maximum number of customers, including the helmsman, in a boat should not be more than 50 per cent of the original capacity.

“However, no festivals or fishing competitions are allowed. The detailed SOP can be viewed on the Fisheries Department and MKN's websites,” he said. 

As for driving institutes, the permission includes carrying out driver’s training, the Driver's Education Curriculum (KPP) 01, 02 and 03, pre-examination driving as well as theory and practical tests. The operating hours are from 7.30 am to 8.30 pm.

The SOP states that the instructors and candidates must wear face masks at all times, candidates are allowed to be present at the premises based on the training or examination slots as no waiting is allowed and they must always practice physical distancing.    

Meanwhile, for flight training centres, the permission covers the administration at Approved Training Organisations (ATO), which include Type Rating Training Organisation (TRTO), Flying Training Organisation (FTO) and Flying Club-Instruction in Flying (FC-IIF).

“Training for civil aviation is allowed for pilots, aircraft engineers, air traffic officers, cabin crew, security officers and hazardous materials operators,” he said.

Among the relevant SOP includes the trainees must remain at the ATO and must get approval letter for interstate or interdistrict movements to and from their respective ATO.

In addition, all aviation training activities can be implemented in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and ATO guidelines. Detailed SOP are available on Transport Ministry and MKN websites. 

-- BERNAMA