Ismail Sabri: SOP for green zones being finalised by NSC

PETALING JAYA: The standard operating procedure (SOP) for those in green zone areas is being finalised by the National Security Council (NSC), says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Senior Minister said the SOP would outline eased restrictions for those living in green zone areas.

"For example, those who are in universities, people's housing project (PPR) or gated communities – if they show no symptoms of Covid-19 then they may be allowed to go out, but only within their area and not beyond.

"Maybe those living in PPR will be allowed to take their children to the playgrounds and there could be a set timing for each block.

"All of this is being looked at by NSC and we are getting input from all ministries for the SOP to be more comprehensive," he said in his daily briefing on Tuesday (April 28).

Ismail Sabri, who is also Defence Minister, hoped that the NSC would table the finalised SOP to the government for approval to be announced later.

Ismail Sabri also said that food outlets would follow the current SOP, without extended operational hours.

He said those who want to order food should do so before 8pm, the time outlets have been ordered to close.

However, Ismail Sabri said the government would consider suggestions from the public for food outlets in green zones to open till 10pm during Ramadan.

On suggestions for pawn shops to be allowed to operate to ease the burden of those facing hardship during Covid-19, Ismail Sabri said this was up to the NSC.

"I believe pawn shops are not an essential service like food," he said.

Ismail Sabri also urged everyone to abide by the movement control order (MCO) and reminded the rakyat that ending the lockdown was in their hands.

He said the number of arrests of those breaching the MCO fluctuates daily.

"If everyone follows the MCO and the number of positive Covid-19 cases drop, then we can end the MCO earlier and ease some regulations.

"Some countries eased lockdown regulations due to a reduced number of positive cases. However, they also suffered a sudden spike and had to impose longer lockdown periods.

"We don't want that to happen. We want to make sure that once we end the MCO and ease regulations, it will remain that way.

"There is no point opening up for two weeks and a sudden spike in cases causes us to close down (be put on MCO) again," he added.