KUCHING: As Sarawak moves into Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan, the business and events sectors look forward to reopening fully while continuing to comply with the standard operating procedure.

       Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations president Datuk Richard Wee said the government could consider allowing all businesses to resume full operations provided all their employees and patrons were fully vaccinated.

       He said this must be accompanied by strict adherence to the SOP.

       “It is hoped that SMEs and sole proprietors be given the necessary financial aid to ensure their ability to sustain their business and for them to resume operations as soon as possible, as they are the main employers in the economy,” he added.

       Wee also called for stricter public health and hygiene guidelines to be implemented for food outlets.

       “Public cooperation with the authorities is crucial to ensure proper control of the epidemic,” he said.

       Business Events Sarawak chief executive Amelia Roziman said the transition to Phase Three was good for the economy.

       She said her organisation already had protocols in place for business events and was now planning for Phase Four, when interstate travel will be allowed.

       “As much as we emphasise SOP-compliant business events, we are working on strengthening the SOP so that Sarawak can host responsible business events.

       “This means developing new policies and tightening the existing measures to ensure that every business event is responsible – for the sake of the industry and the community.

       “At the same time, we will ensure it will not compromise the quality and creativity of events,” she added.

       Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Monday that Sarawak, along with Perlis and Labuan, would enter Phase Three after meeting the required thresholds.

       These include daily case numbers of below 2,000, and 40% of the population fully vaccinated.

       As at Aug 2, 48.6% of Sarawak’s population has received both doses of the vaccine.

       Meanwhile, the state disaster management committee said Sarawak welcomed the transition to Phase Three and would implement it once the SOP is finalised with advice from health experts.

       “As such, the existing SOP is still in force,” it said in a statement yesterday.

       However, it said the move to Phase Three would be deferred in the southern zone, covering Kuching, Bau, Lundu, Samarahan, Simunjan, Asajaya, Serian and Tebedu districts, until the spread of Covid-19 in these areas was curbed.