SEREMBAN: Tourism industry players in Negri Sembilan must be more than prepared to welcome locals from today as the state moves to Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan.

       Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said industry players cannot afford to be ill-prepared as they had been advised to do so during meetings in recent weeks.

       “I had webinars with these players, including local councils, the Forestry Department as well as the respective associations.

       “The local councils were told to prepare their standard operating procedures and other checklists such as ensuring public facilities and toilets are in working condition so that they can start receiving local tourists,” he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri here yesterday.

       Aminuddin said the outlook for the tourism sector is bright, with fewer Covid-19 cases reported in the state in recent days.

       He said as at Aug 24, 90.1% of adults eligible for vaccination in the state had received their first dose while 73.4% their second.

       “If all goes well, more than 80% of the adult population should get their second dose by Aug 31 and hopefully, we will soon move to Phase Three,” he added.

       On another matter, Aminuddin said only a few government department heads will be allowed to attend the Negri Sembilan legislative assembly sitting to be held early next month to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

       He said those allowed to attend the four-day meeting to be held from Sept 3 must also be fully vaccinated.

       “Most of them will be on standby in their respective offices. We do not want too many people in the hall,” he said, adding that those attending the special sitting, including the assemblymen, will also be required to undergo a swab test on Aug 31.

       “We have been briefed by the health officers on the standard operating procedure and we shall strictly adhere to it.

       “We have also fixed the time we should start the session, the rest period and stop for the day,” he said, adding that to his knowledge, all assemblymen and department heads are fully vaccinated.

       The state legislative assembly, which last met in December, will be opened by Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

       The remaining three days from Sept 6 have been reserved for debates on the royal address and the tabling of several Bills.

       Aminuddin also said the state-level National Day celebration will be held at the foyer of the state secretariat building but will be limited to fewer than 60 people, including Tuanku Muhriz who is scheduled to attend.

       “It will be a brief affair with the singing of Negaraku, followed by oath-taking and pledging of loyalty by members of my administration to the Ruler and country,” Aminuddin said.