KOTA KINABALU: Industry players are urging the state government to allow cluster-free industries in Sabah to resume operations with strict standard operating procedure to save small businesses.

       Wellness and spa industry adviser Datuk Johnny Mositun (pic) said with the daily new cases decreasing to about 200 per day, it was perhaps time the state government considered relaxing the SOP.

       “There is no evidence to show that the reopening of economic sectors with strict SOP compliance may trigger new clusters, ” he said.

       “The government can introduce new measures by allowing employers who are able to comply with the SOP to fully resume operations, ” said Mositun, who is also PBS vice-president.

       Although industry players understood the intention of the four-phase National Recovery Plan to achieve herd immunity by year-end, he said the interest of the business community and the people should also be taken into consideration.

       “That’s why we humbly appeal to the government to allow certain non-essential economic sectors, including the spa and wellness industry, to operate, ” he said.

       In this respect, Mositun expressed full support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and the state government’s decision to ease the SOP.

       Hajiji was quoted as saying recently that social and economic activities, including dine-in at restaurants, coffee shops and hotels, would be allowed in Sabah.

       The Federal Government, however, has not given an approval regarding this matter.