KUALA LUMPUR: Police will step up inspections nationwide to ensure the public complies with rules on access to businesses and public places for the fully vaccinated.

       A compliance operation task force will increase inspections, including ensuring that business owners adhere to the standard operating procedure in checking that their customers have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, said newly appointed Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order department director Comm Datuk Hazani Ghazali.

       “We will do more inspections and snap checks at business premises.

       “The fight against Covid-19 is far from over and we need the cooperation of the public to follow the SOP,” he said when contacted.

       Comm Hazani advised the public to fully comply with the SOP.

       “We will take stern action including issuing compound notices to those who fail to comply with the rules,” he said.

       For Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya, which will move to phase two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) today, Comm Hazani said roadblocks will be removed except at state borders.

       Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim said while there will be no more roadblocks in the city, the compliance operation task force will still be deployed to ensure adherence to the SOP.

       “We will definitely increase checks so that SOP compliance is at an optimum level. We will also focus on business premises to ensure that the owners comply with the SOP especially in fully checking that their customers have completed their vaccine doses,” he said.

       Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed said police will continue with compliance checks and inspections in the state.

       “Don’t just comply with the SOP when you see enforcement officers. Comply with the SOP at all times so that we can take care of each other,” he said.

       With the number of Covid-19 cases soaring in Penang, state police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said SOP compliance monitoring teams have been formed in all districts.

       “We have deployed teams to all five districts in Penang to monitor the SOP compliance rate and conduct spot checks from time to time.

       “We will check and ensure that only fully vaccinated individuals can enter premises or carry out activities that are permitted,” he said.

       Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said their enforcement officers had been conducting random spot checks at different locations daily.

       “Business owners and hawkers have to make sure that their workers, as well as customers, adhere strictly to the SOP.

       “Businesses allowing the fully vaccinated (to access outlets) must check the customers’ MySejahtera app before allowing them to enter the premises.

       “If they are found to have violated the SOP, we will take stern action including issuing compounds or immediate closure,” he warned.

       Seberang Prai City Council mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud reminded business owners to check their customers’ vaccination status before allowing them entry.

       “We have assigned more officers to be on the ground to carry out spot checks,” he said, adding that most eateries are still not ready for dine-in patrons yet.

       Johor police chief Comm Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said they will be conducting random spot checks at eateries that resumed dine-in operations.

       “We will carry out random spot checks to ensure that only those who are fully vaccinated are allowed into these premises,” he said, adding that there are about 500 to 600 policemen conducting checks regularly.