PPN: Phase 1 Extended, But Eateries Can Now Open From 6AM Till 10PM

Phase 1 of National Recovery Plan continues on

The extended full lockdown, or FMCO, was slated to end today, 28th June 2021. With cases yet to drop below the 4,000 mark during the lockdown – and conditions set for the country to move into Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) not yet met – Phase 1 will continue until further notice, as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday, 27th June.

But eateries will now be allowed to operate from 6AM to 10PM under Phase 1 of PPN, and this takes effect today, 28th June. The government has also given notice of the reopening of more businesses, such as book stores, stationery shops, electrical stores, hairdressers and more once Phase 2 kicks in.

Eateries can now operate from 6AM to 10PM

Yesterday, Malaysia recorded 5,586 new COVID-19 cases, putting our country’s total confirmed cases at 734,048, as reported by the Ministry of Health (KKM).

As one of the 3 conditions for the country to move into Phase 2 of PPN is daily COVID-19 cases falling below 4,000, which has yet to be met, the government announced that Phase 1 will be extended without a set end date.

But rest assured, Phase 2 will be implemented once this condition is fulfilled, along with requirements that 10% of the population be fully vaccinated and that bed usage levels in ICUs are at a moderate level, as reported by Bernama. This is projected to happen in mid-July 2021, as stated by Muhyiddin.

As of 27th June, 2,087,056, or 6.4%, of Malaysians have been fully vaccinated, as reported by JKJAV.

To clear up confusion, Muhyiddin also announced that all Movement Control Order stages will be referred to as phases of the National Recovery Plan instead. As such, Malaysia is currently under Phase 1 of PPN, which will be extended until requirements of Phase 2 are met.

National Recovery Plan continuation

Phases and conditions to be met in the National Recovery Plan

While this, no doubt, comes as bummer to many who have been looking forward the end of the full lockdown in Malaysia, the government has announced an amendment to operating hours for eateries under Phase 1.

The current operation hours for eateries are from 8AM to 8PM. But they can now be opened from 6AM to 10PM, so restaurants can keep up with orders and Malaysians can continue get their supper orders.

However, other businesses listed as essentials during Phase 1, including grocery stores and hardware shops, will remain operating from 8AM to 8PM without change.

Financial assistance packages to be announced soon

As many livelihoods have been affected by the continuation of Phase 1, the government will announce financial assistance packages benefitting 12 million individuals and households either today, or tomorrow, 29th June.

According to another report from Bernama, the packages will cover small and medium enterprises (SMEs), B40 and M40 groups, and eligible T20 groups, until the end of the year. Finance Minister Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz also suggested that the loan repayment moratorium that will be announced will be similar to the one from last year, covering all groups in Malaysia via several financial initiatives, as reported by The Malaysian Reserve.

Update: Read more about National People’s Well-Being and Economic Recovery Package (PEMULIH), the financial assistance package announced by the government, here.

Bookshops, computer stores, and more can operate in Phase 1

Along with the announcement of the Phase 1 continuation and financial assistance for Malaysians, more details about Phase 2 of PPN have been announced by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

While interstate and interdistrict travels are still banned in the next phase, there will exceptions made for school teachers, exam-year students, long-distance married couples, and special and emergency cases, as reported by Bernama. Travel permits will be subject to the approval from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

Likewise, more businesses will reopen under Phase 2. They include book and stationery shops, computer and telecommunications, electrical stores, and car washes. Hairdressers can also reopen, but the public will only be able to get basic haircuts.

Updated SOPs for Phase 1, as of 17th July 2021

Individual and non-physical contact sports and recreational activities will be permitted as well.

Giving us something to look forward to, updates for Phase 3 announced by Ismail Sabri sees interdistrict travel and dine–in at restaurants, limited to 2 per table, allowed during this phase. 3 individuals in a vehicle will be permitted – 1 up from the current SOP that only allows 2 individuals per vehicle.

Beauty salons, and all forms of markets including night markets and weekend markets, will reopen under Phase 3 too. Tourism activities will be given the green light, as well as house visits, but limited to 10 individuals, with physical distancing adhered to.

Update: On 16th July 2021, the government announced that bookshops, and shops selling computers, telecommunication devices, and stationery will be allowed to reopen under Phase 1 of PPN.

Phase 1 of National Recovery Plan extended

With COVID-19 cases yet to fall below 4,000 in the country, Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) will continue to be in place. While we wait for things to get better here, and Phase 2 to be implemented, we can continue to do our part in the fight against the pandemic by following SOPs and going out only for essentials at this time.