SEREMBAN: Rental fees for state government-owned stalls and housing units will be waived for another month to help them cushion the effects of Covid-19, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

       He said 6,114 traders, including those operating at markets owned by local councils, will not have to pay rent for the month of July.

       Another 2,647 families occupying state-government owned units and 474 in People's Housing Project (PPR) units will also be exempted from paying rent for the month of September.

       "We waived rents for stalls for January, February and June previously, and have now decided to waive it for another month to help traders.

       "As for housing units, rents were waived for the months of June, July and August, and at today's exco meeting, we agreed to allow them to stay for free for September," he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting.

       He said the entire exercise would cost the state government some RM3.8mil.

       Separately, Aminuddin said those involved in the tourism industry should be fully vaccinated so they can benefit once the state moves into phase two of the National Recovery Plan.

       "Our vaccination rate in the state has been impressive and it is my hope these players have got their shots so they can start receiving tourists once we move to phase two, " he said.

       Aminuddin added that he had met with the state chapter of the Malaysians Inbound Tourism Association as well as the Budget Hotel Association and told them to be ready to welcome tourists when the time comes," he added.