GEORGE TOWN: Most businesses are now allowed to operate in Penang under Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), following the latest list of permitted activities and businesses.

       Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this is according to the latest standard operating procedure (SOP) provided by the National Security Council (NSC).

       “It was announced yesterday (Aug 16) that more sectors are allowed to operate and the state did not need to wait for the 50% vaccination rate for the adult population anymore.

       “As Penang is already on to Phase Two of the NRP, whatever was previously allowed in Phase One should be allowed in Phase Two as well.

       “As such, the criteria for the state to reach a 50% vaccination rate for the adult population is not applicable anymore,” he said during a press conference after visiting the Retail Industry Vaccination (RiVAC) programme at Gurney Paragon Mall on Tuesday (Aug 17).

       Chow said in another three weeks, all Penangites who registered with MySejahtera would have received their first dose.

       “As of yesterday (Aug 16), 71.5% of those who registered received their first dose and by the first week of September, we should be achieving 100%.”

       Following the announcement of the relaxation of social activities and business operations recently, states under Phase One can see the reopening of 11 types of businesses.

       The businesses include car wash, electrical and electronic, home and kitchen appliances, furniture, sports equipment, car accessories, car distributors and showrooms, morning markets and farmers’ markets, clothing and fashion, jewellery, salons, beauty shops and barbers (basic hair care services).

       Under Phase Two, the 11 businesses allowed to resume operations are photo and photo services, used goods, florists and nurseries, crafts and souvenirs, antiques, toys, carpet, creative content and creative industry accessories, outdoor gadgets, cosmetic, skincare and perfume, and tobacco including vape and e-cigarettes.

       However, it was also announced that only those with complete digital vaccination certificates are allowed to access these businesses.

       A person is certified as fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose of vaccines, namely Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Sinovac, and 28 days after receiving shots from single-dose vaccines such as Johnson & Johnson and CanSino.