JOHOR BARU: A group of businesses and companies in Johor are urging the Federal Government to allow Johor to implement its own standard operating procedures (SOPs) to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

       The group, comprising 120 organisations and trade association members in Johor, said it disagreed with the decision by the National Security Council (NSC) to implement Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) nationwide based on the high number of cases in Selangor.

       “Each state government should be given the mandate to implement the SOPs based on the current situation of Covid-19 cases in the respective states," the group said in a joint statement Friday (July 2).

       It added that recent statistics showed that Covid-19 cases in Johor remained under control and it was relatively safe for people in the state to work and travel.

       The statement also singled out the success story of the Sabah government in lowering its daily infected cases from several thousands to 232 as of Thursday (July 1).

       “This is the best example of how Sabah was able to contain the spread of Covid-19 by implementing its own set of SOPs," it said.

       The group also urged the Federal Government to speed up the immunisation programme for frontliners, including employees, employers and workers in various sectors required to work on-site or in offices.

       “Vaccines should also be extended to those who can work from home," it said, adding that the government should expedite the reopening of the Malaysia-Singapore border.

       The statement said the opening of the borders between the two countries would help sustain businesses in Johor and the economy in general.

       “It will also accelerate the economic recovery post-Covid-19," it said