KUALA LUMPUR: The government is considering easing restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals living in states under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (pic).

       He said the government was still getting input and feedback from experts.

       “We are also looking even for Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Negri Sembilan that are currently in Phase One,” he said during a virtual press conference yesterday.

       Hishammuddin said the move to ease restrictions was being considered for the sake of mental health in non-high-risk areas.

       “Even if we are still stuck in Phase One, we can look at some safe activities like going to the park, open air pasar malam... these are the things being considered but I cannot announce it yet because I will need feedback from experts,” he said.

       On Sunday, the government announced several privileges for those fully vaccinated and living in states categorised as Phase Two and subsequent phases under the NRP.

       The measures include allowing dine-in at restaurants, outdoor individual sports and tourism.

       Hishammuddin said there was no decision on allowing dine-in at restaurants areas under Phase One.

       He noted that the move would require cooperation from the food and beverage sector, especially in terms of complying with the relevant standard operating procedure.

       He advised fully vaccinated single individuals who wished to travel interstate to see their parents to wait a little bit longer, as the number of Covid-19 cases was still high.

       At the moment, the government only allows parents to cross district or state borders to meet their children who are below 18 years old.

       “Insya-Allah, if the decision is successfully implemented and the number of Covid-19 cases does not spike due to this, there is no reason in the future for us not to expand the decision to include all the singles who are asking about this matter,” he said.

       The decision to ease restrictions, he said, was made carefully or with a calculated approach, taking into consideration the benefits that would be experienced by more than 3.97 million fully vaccinated individuals in states under Phase 2 and Phase 3..

       “The government surely will consider all the responses from all stakeholders in the health, economic and social sectors,” he said, adding that there was also public concern over new Covid-19 variants, especially Delta.

       He said transition to Phase 2 or Phase 3 was not just dependent on vaccination numbers.

       “We have to look at the strain on ICUs and hospital beds,” he said.

       The government, Hishammuddin said, had formed a special task force to strengthen the Klang Valley healthcare system’s preparedness to manage the pandemic.

       “There is nothing the Prime Minister is unwilling to do to help those in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

       “If we need hospital beds, we will buy more beds. If we need more vaccines, we will prioritise the Greater Klang Valley.

       “If we need more manpower, we will do it. If we need medicine, ventilators or oxygen tanks, that is the job of the special task force.

       “My wish and prayers are that the task force will be able to reduce the numbers and strain on our ICU beds in KL and Selangor so we can move on to the next phase,” he said.