KUALA LUMPUR: Four key ministers will meet soon to hash out details in preparation for the endemic phase of Covid-19.Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he would be meeting with Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

       The meeting would address the adjustments and relaxations of the standard operating procedure, he said.

       “I will call them soon for a detailed discussion to make a joint decision on the SOP adjustments and other relaxation concessions in preparation for the endemic phase.

       “The Special Committee on Pandemic Management meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Sept 2 agreed that I would lead the country’s pandemic management efforts under the National Security Council (NSC),” he said in a statement.

       Hishammuddin had said at a press conference on Sept 2 that the country was heading towards the endemic phase and that the transition would begin by the end of next month.

       “The government is looking into suitable relaxation concessions that will allow the people to go about their everyday lives with as much freedom as possible under the ‘new normal’.

       “At the same time, we want to protect lives and livelihoods,” he said.

       He added that the SOP relaxation concessions would probably include allowances for interstate travel for various reasons and the possibility of more economic sectors reopening.

       “Many factors, however, have to be taken into consideration as they involve people’s health and national security,” he added.

       Hishammuddin said he had instructed the NSC to update the SOP given to the relevant ministries involved in order to make them easily understood. — Bernama