Janet in Other News On August 30, 2021, 12:09 pm

KL & Selangor Expected To Move To Phase Two Soon, Says PM; Govt To Make Decision At Cabinet Meeting

Klang Valley may transition to Phase Two soon

Klang Valley has stayed under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) ever since a nationwide full lockdown was announced back in June 2021. While more businesses are now allowed to reopen and serve the fully vaccinated under Phase One, KL, Selangor and Putrajaya have yet to transition to Phase Two of the NRP.

But this might all change soon. Yesterday, 29th August 2021, the government announced that Klang Valley may move to Phase Two, as 89.5% of the adult population residing here are now fully vaccinated. The decision will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting with the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV).

90.3% of Klang Valley adult population now fully vaccinated

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the possible easing of restrictions for Klang Valley residents while visiting a mega Covid-19 vaccination centre at World Trade Centre in KL on 29th August, as reported by The Star.

While there, he said it was likely that Klang Valley will likely to the next phase because of the area’s vaccination rates, with 89.5% of the adult population vaccinated and close to achieving 90% herd immunity.

Talks of Selangor transitioning to Phase Two as early as September has been circulating since 19th August, hinted at by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari due to the increased vaccination rates and decrease in hospital admissions.

Image credit: @JKJAVMY

As of 29th August, at 11.59PM, 90.3% of the adult population residing in Klang Valley are now fully vaccinated – that’s 66.1% of the total population, as reported by JKJAV.

However, there has been no mention by PM Ismail Sabri of when this transition will take place – only that it will be discussed at an upcoming Cabinet meeting with JKJAV. But this Cabinet meeting has yet to be held, as Ismail Sabri’s new Cabinet line-up comprising 31 ministers and 38 deputy ministers is set to be sworn in on Monday, 30th August, at 2.30PM at Istana Negara.

Other states are expected to transition to the next phase too.

Malaysians are told to wait for an official announcement, and continue to follow SOPs in the meantime.

Fully vaccinated privileges for states under Phase One

Some key changes in standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Klang Valley residents should the transition to Phase Two take place are:

Exam classes allowed to return to school
Fully vaccinated individuals allowed to travel between districts
80% of employees in private sector allowed to return to their workplace

These are listed on the official portal of the NRP. The current indicators mentioned on the same portal also outline three indicators for states to move to the next phase – including daily new cases, utilisation of intensive care init (ICU), and percentage of the adult population fully vaccinated.

On Sunday, 29th August, Selangor recorded 4,591 new Covid-19 cases, while Kuala Lumpur had 680 new cases and Putrajaya had 48 cases, as reported by the Ministry of Health (KKM).

Klang Valley areas may move to Phase Two soon

After more than a year of living under a lockdown – and the recent implementation of a full lockdown – those in Klang Valley are most likely excited to hear that the transition to Phase Two is being discussed. Nonetheless, cases are still breaching the 20,000 mark in recent days, so we should continue to exercise caution and follow strictly to all SOPs in place while out.