Gyms, sporting activities and more allowed now

PUTRAJAYA: Recreational fishing, gym, golf and driving institutes are permitted to resume during the movement control order.

These include individual games of tennis, pingpong and badminton, as well as two and four-wheel motorsports.

“We have agreed to allow this for personal fitness and survival of the sports industry, ” said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday.

Among the standard operating procedure for gym activities include social distancing of between 1m and 3m for static activities and 3m and 5m for dynamic activities.

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Equipment is to be placed 2m apart and disinfected after each user. The use of changing room and shower facilities as well as group classes are not allowed.

For golf, the SOP stipulates only one person per buggy, no sharing of equipment, and caddies are to use face masks and gloves at all times. Club house facilities are off limits.

The government also announced the reopening of driving institutes.

They can operate from 7.30am to 8.30pm for driving classes, pre-driving tests as well as practical sessions. Trainers and students must wear face masks in the vehicle.

Ismail Sabri said the government is allowing recreational fishing.

As for flying academies including administration at Approved Training Organisation (ATO), the SOP stated that the new intake of trainees is subject to approval from the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia.

On the Chinese New Year celebration, he spoke about Chinese netizens who left messages for him, stating their willingness to sacrifice celebrations in hometowns.

“They said they are not willing to take the risk of infecting family members in the high risk group such as parents and grandparents.

“I am very touched by their sacrifice, ” he said.