MCO: Government will allow SMEs to resume operation - Ismail Sabri

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the matter would be announced as soon as the standard operating procedure (SOP) was finalized.

"God willing, wait for the announcement because among the relaxations that will be given, small companies will also be allowed to operate. But wait for the announcement that we will make with the relevant SOPs," he said in a daily press conference here on Thursday.

In another development, Ismail Sabri said the decision to allow two people to come out of a house to buy essential items was made after the government took into account the grievances faced by the people, as well as the reduction of COVID-19 positive cases.

However, he said the people were urged to continue to practise social distancing while at places like supermarkets.

In addition, he said supermarket operators must adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOPs) to avoid congestion in their business premises.

"In terms of congestion, as I see in supermarkets, for example, they are following the SOP we have issued, which is about social distancing and limiting the number of customers in supermarkets.

"I believe that although there is a slight increase as two (people) come out, I believe the SOP will continue to keep away from congestion," he said.

Ismail Sabri advised husbands to wait in the car and not enter the supermarket with the wife to avoid crowding.

"When the government sets only one individual in a vehicle in the previous phase of the MCO, we received a lot of feedback including the wife's inability to drive besides parking problems.