PUTRAJAYA: The relaxation of restrictions for those who have been fully vaccinated will be announced soon, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba(pic).

       He said the ministry had presented some of the proposed “freedoms” to be enjoyed by those who had been given two doses of the vaccine during a National Recovery Plan (NRP) meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.

       “An announcement on this will be made soon,” he said at a joint virtual press conference with National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday.

       On Thursday, the Prime Minister said the government was looking into relaxing restrictions for those fully vaccinated, including allowing them to travel or dine-in at restaurants.

       Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he had asked for the relaxation to be considered as part of the NRP as the country gradually adjusted towards returning to normal life.

       On another matter, Dr Adham said targeted lockdowns would be implemented in areas of the states that had transitioned to Phase Two instead of moving these back into Phase One should there be an increase in Covid-19 cases.

       “Restrictions will be enforced in affected areas and localities but we are confident that we can contain the infection with the increase in vaccination,” he said.

       Dr Adham was responding to a question on whether Phase Two states like Penang and Pahang would move back to Phase One after their seven-day average daily case incidence rate recently surpassed 12.2 cases per 100,000 population.

       Between July 9 and 15, the seven-day average daily cases in Pahang were 17.14 cases per 100,000 population while in Penang, it was 14.01 cases per 100,000 population.

       The minister also said there had been no reports of blood clot involving the AstraZeneca vaccine so far.

       “We have received 1.12 notifications on adverse events following immunisation out of 1,000 doses given but there is no confirmed report of blood clot involving AstraZeneca,” he said.

       Dr Adham said for epidemiology week 27, 157 new clusters were reported nationwide, 62% of which – or 98 – involved workplaces.

       Health authorities reported that there were 42 new community clusters, seven clusters among high-risk groups, another seven involving detention centres and three education institution-related clusters.

       A total of 239 localities were placed under enhanced MCO from July 4 to 10, including 103 in Sabah, Selangor (41), Kuala Lumpur (18), Sarawak (16) and Johor (14).