No changes to NRP thresholds for now, says Muhyiddin

PUTRAJAYA: The government will not make any changes to its threshold indicators in the National Recovery Plan (NRP) for the time being, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Prime Minister said it would be too soon to make such changes, as it required more careful assessment.

“The threshold values in the NRP decide if a state can progress from one phase to another.

“If there is a need, we will study if the threshold needs to be amended. But we have to be careful to ensure that we don’t make drastic decisions without basis.

“For now, we will be sticking with the existing thresholds as it is too early for us to make changes,” Muhyiddin said at a special media interview here Saturday (July 24).

For a state to move into another phase under the NRP, it has to attain a certain threshold value of Covid-19 cases, hospital admissions and vaccination rate.

Eight states have moved into Phase 2 of the NRP, which sees some relaxations in Covid-19 restrictions.

Muhyiddin said Sarawak and Perlis are likely to be the first states to enter Phase 3 of the NRP.

“Sarawak’s level of vaccination is very high and their control of infections is good. We can expect the state to enter Phase 3 soon,” he said.

Muhyiddin said while the Covid-19 situation in the country still shows high numbers, he believes the NRP remains on track.

“The situation with rising Covid-19 numbers is also seen in our neighbouring countries, and this is due to the emergence of the Delta variant.

“But with the NRP, we have set the threshold that will guide us before entering into the next phases. So far, eight states have entered Phase 2.

“Although some states have seen an increase in new infections, they do not get downgraded from Phase 2. Instead, our approach is to implement enhanced movement control orders at certain localities.

“With our increased vaccination rate, we have managed to pass several targets. Hopefully, we can reduce pressure on our health systems.

“It is a long and painful recovery, but I am confident we can pass this. Give the government a chance,” said Muhyiddin.