KOTA KINABALU: Despite the conditional MCO in Sabah being extended, restrictions on several economic sectors and activities - like domestic tourism, entertainment and public transportation - have been relaxed, effective Monday (Dec 7).
Sabah Chief Minister Seri Datuk Hajiji Noor said however that the enhanced MCO implemented on several localities is expected to continue until their scheduled end.
"In line with the Federal Government's announcement, inter-district and interstate movements are allowed without applying for police permission, except for those staying at localities enforced with enhanced MCO.
"Buses, trains, ferries and passenger boats are allowed to operate and are free to move between districts with half capacity," he said.
He also said that the movement of small boats from islands to mainland Sabah is allowed from 6am to 6pm.
Meanwhile, fishing boats registered under the Fisheries Department under the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) are allowed to operate with police permission from 6am to 6pm in permitted jetties.
“Prohibited vessel movements include non-convention ships (NCS) from Indonesia and the Philippines entering Esszone waters and all Malaysian NCS from Esszone to the two countries mentioned, Indonesian fish carrier vessels to Tawau and NSC ship from the Philippines going through Sabah waters to reach Labuan, ” he said in a statement on Saturday night (Dec 5).
Meanwhile, domestic tourism is allowed in a restricted capacity as stated by the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry in all districts except localities where the enhanced MCO is enforced.
“Water activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing, sea walking, jet skiing, fun rides, water rafting and canoeing are allowed with 50% capacity," he said.
Hajiji added that paid classes involving tuition, dance, arts, Quran recitation, language and such are allowed to be operational with a maximum five people in attendance at a time, and based on the size of the learning space.
“Busking, musical and singing performances at closed locations within buildings (like restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, hotel lounges) are allowed with a limit of performance time and on the number of those in the audience set by Communications and Multimedia Ministry, state authorities and local authorities, ” added Hajiji.
For the civil service, the capacity of attendance at state government offices is increased from 30% to 50%, with the rest working from home.
“This directive covers all state public servants including local authorities, state statutory bodies and state government-linked companies, ” said Hajiji.
