PETALING JAYA: All sectors should be allowed to operate, including those on the “negative” list, say business groups.

       They said there should be no separation in any economic sector now as Covid-19 has been categorised as having entered the endemic phase.

       “We cannot be saying it’s a pandemic on the one hand and being endemic on the other.

       “We need to do things differently now,” said Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) treasurer-general Koong Lin Loong.

       He said as more states move up in phases under the National Recovery Plan (NRP), it was important for the government to ensure the livelihood of these businesses and their workers.

       “All businesses should be allowed to operate under a strict standard operating procedure.

       “In addition, there should be no discrimination against any sector,” he said, referring to some entertainment-based businesses being on the negative list.

       Koong, who is also ACCCIM’s small and medium enterprise (SME) committee chairman, said the SOP for businesses to resume operation should be designed based on the risk of infection.

       “For example, activities that involve bodily contact, crowds and taking off face masks such as eateries, the SOP should be stricter,” he said.

       While SMEs were grateful for the reopening, he said they must also take the SOP seriously to prevent infection.

       “Such awareness is important for the authorities, enforcement, business owners and the people to mitigate the endemic situation so that we don’t go back to lockdowns again,” he said.

       While people anticipate good news on interstate travelling soon, Koong urged Malaysians to travel only when necessary, as free movement can cause an increase in Covid-19 cases.

       SME Association of Malaysia president Datuk Michael Kang also called for all industries to open with no distinction between them.

       “There are still many industries that aren’t allowed to operate. We urge the government to open up these businesses as more adults have been vaccinated,” he said.

       He added all businesses must be allowed to operate when 90% of the adult population have been vaccinated.

       Kang said most SMEs were facing cash flow, debt and manpower problems due to the disruption of prolonged lockdowns.

       “For those who are still surviving, they need some form of help from the government, such as low-interest loans, aids or grants to continue to operate,” he said.

       The Federation of Malaysian Business Associations protem chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abdullah said there is still a handful of negative businesses that are not allowed to open, but generally, most are operating partially.

       “We will continue to engage with the government to remove the negative list and allow these businesses to be fully operational soon,” he said.

       According to the latest Phase Three SOP on the National Security Council website, entertainment activities at nightclubs and pubs are prohibited. Ceremonies and celebrations such as gatherings and weddings are also a no-no.