KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 181 Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) have been reduced to only one general SOP with nine guidelines but it is subject to the Prime Minister's approval, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

       The Senior Minister said he will bring up the proposed general SOP and nine guidelines, prepared by the National Security Council, to the special committee headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for approval before it can be announced.

       "If the special committee agrees, then we can announce it.

       "The move to reduce the SOP is in line with the country moving towards the endemic phase," he told a press conference at the Defence Ministry's headquarters on Monday (Oct 18).

       While he could not go into details, Hishammuddin said the general SOP is connected to the measures to prevent the spread of the virus including wearing face masks, MySejahtera check-ins and being fully vaccinated.

       "The nine guidelines encompass activities in various sectors," he said.

       While the government has eased various measures, Hishammuddin said it was vital for the public to adhere to SOP.

       "Reducing the number of Covid-19 SOPs is part of the move to make it easier to understand and comply with.

       "We hope the public can remain disciplined in abiding by the SOP so that the relaxation previously announced does not disrupt our plans to move into the endemic phase," he added.

       The government is also mulling further relaxations but it will depend on the effects of earlier easing of restrictions, Hishammuddin said.

       "All relaxations come with conditions so I hope the public can strengthen their compliance with SOP," he said.

       He also reminded the public not to take anything for granted.

       "Stay firm and practice 'TRIIS' (Test, Report, Isolate, Inform, Seek)," he added.

       On the current situation with anti-vaxxers, Hishammuddin said he agreed with what was said by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and the Prime Minister.

       "The government is not targeting any party but in the efforts to combat the virus, it is important not to worsen the situation, for the sake of the masses," he added.

       Hishammuddin also announced that he had interacted virtually with participants of the Gold 2021 joint military exercise (BG21).

       "The exercise was conducted in the South China Sea from Oct 8 until Oct 18, involving all countries of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) – Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia.

       "It was conducted physically and virtually in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the FPDA's formation, which will be celebrated on Thursday (Oct 21), and Malaysia will be hosting," he said.

       A total of 2,647 personnel and 48 military assets from the five countries were involved in the exercise, he added.