PETALING JAYA: The Klang Valley which covers Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and Melaka will move to Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) beginning Monday (Oct 18), says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       The Prime Minister said Kelantan, Perak, Penang, Kedah and Sabah will move from Phase Two to Phase Three of the NRP.

       He said this was decided by the Special Committee on Covid-19 Pandemic Management, which convened on Friday (Oct 15).

       He said with the transition, all the states in the country have moved to Phase Three of the NRP.

       He also announced that among the relaxations of standard operating procedures (SOP), e-hailing vehicles will be allowed to operate at full capacity at all phases of the NRP from Saturday (Oct 16).

       He added that R&R (rest areas) on highways can open round-the-clock also from Saturday (Oct 16).

       Meanwhile, cyber cafes and centres have been allowed to operate in full capacity for areas under Phase Four and 80% capacity for those under Phase Three effective Sunday (Oct 17).

       The Prime Minister also announced a shorter quarantine duration for close contacts who are fully vaccinated and international travellers from Oct 18.

       He said for close contacts, they will need to undergo home quarantine for seven days.

       “Close contacts who are partially vaccinated or not vaccinated will need to undergo home quarantine for 10 days.”

       He said for international travellers who are fully vaccinated, they will need to quarantine for seven days upon arrival.

       This can be done at a designated quarantine station or at home if the latter is found appropriate.

       International arrivals who are partially vaccinated or not vaccinated will need to quarantine for 10 days at a designated quarantine station.

       An SOP for international travel for the purpose of umrah, which was tabled during the technical working group pandemic management meeting on Sept 27, has been gazetted in line with the announcement to allow interstate travel on Oct 11.

       "In relation to that, pilgrims are allowed to perform umrah following the decision to remove the MyTravelPass requirement effective Monday (Oct 18)," said the Prime Minister.

       Meeting, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) are also allowed at states under the Phase Three via face-to-face, for those who are fully vaccinated from Oct 18.

       However, they are required to conduct a pre-event screening via the RTK-antigen test, observe physical distancing and wear face masks.

       He said the meeting also agreed to implement a pilot project of protocols, with strict travel terms or itinerary for the purpose of official visits involving heads of state (pembesar negara), ministers, deputy ministers, chief ministers, mentris besar, state exco members, MPs and civil servants from Oct 18.

       It will also be extended to business travellers soon.

       Among the criteria are applying within a set time to the National Security Council (NSC) and the Health Ministry for approval, and taking a PCR test three days before returning to Malaysia.

       The terms are only applicable for those who are travelling from low-risk countries, he said.

       It is also applicable to those who are fully vaccinated.