The ‘essential 10’ allowed to operate

PETALING JAYA: Ten services including petrol stations have been listed as essential under the distribution trade sector and will be allowed to operate during the lockdown, says the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

Its minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said these essential service sectors are allowed to operate from 8am to 8pm except for petrol stations, which are allowed to operate from 6am to 8pm.

“Petrol stations on tolled highways are allowed to operate 24 hours, ” he said in a statement yesterday.

Under the ministry’s list, supermarkets, departmental stores, sundry shops, pharmacies, mini marts and those selling essential needs are allowed to operate with their full roster of workers – or at 100% worker capacity – as long as their premises allows one person per 4 sq m.

“E-commerce as well as wholesale and distribution centres for essential products are also allowed to operate at 100% worker capacity.

“Restaurants and laundrettes, including self-service laundrettes, can operate at 60% worker capacity, with at least one person to manage the number of people allowed in the premises.

“Other speciality retail stores such as petrol stations, pet stores (to sell pet needs), optical stores, hardware shops (no home-fixing services), vehicle repair and vehicle parts businesses (without car wash) are also allowed to operate at 60% worker capacity, ” said Nanta.

He added that the ministry will monitor the operations of all businesses and companies which deal in these 10 services during the total lockdown, which is in place from today to June 14.

Nanta earlier said that the approval letters previously issued by the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) for these businesses were not applicable as of June 1.

Businesses will have to resubmit their applications for new operating approval letters to the Covid-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS).

The National Security Council had announced that all such business operators must now request approval operating letters through the one-stop centre manned by Miti, which will then refer to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry before such letters can be issued.

“We will work together with the one-stop centre by Miti to ensure essential services are not affected during the lockdown and can operate as usual to ensure consumer supply is not disrupted in any way, ” said Nanta.

Prior to the current lockdown, the government had allowed all economic sectors to operate but with a strict standard operating procedure.