PUTRAJAYA: Senior citizens and children are encouraged to stay away from stadiums once Malaysia League (M-League) football matches are opened to the public from April 1.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) and Malaysia Football League (MFL), the M-League organisers, are currently fine-tuning the mechanism and standard operating procedures (SOPs) on stadium attendance.
He said the ministry had never stopped COVID-19 high-risk groups from attending matches, and there is also no law to stop them from doing so.
"So, a lot of things will be looked into carefully, among them the sale of tickets which must be done online, about how food trucks should operate and the question of children attending matches.
"Children and those aged above 60 are not encouraged (to attend) as they belong to the vulnerable group," he said at a media conference after handing over appointment letters for the ministry's 'Panel of Experts' committee here today.
The Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor and the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras will be the first two venues to have fans again on April 2 and 3 respectively once the international break is over.
Both stadiums will be used as a pilot project to gauge the effectiveness of crowd management protocols.
Reezal Merican hoped the fans will follow all SOPs to convince the National Security Council and the Health Ministry that the protocols put in place are effective.
"POC (proof of consent) is important. I can't be the only one trying to convince the government, so I ask for the support of all sports fans so that KBS' efforts to bring back the fans to the stadiums can be achieved.
"If the fans fail to convince, it (fans back to the stadium) may not happen then," he said.
Earlier, Reezal Merican handed over letters of appointment to 25 members of the 'Panel of Experts' Committee with former Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Tan Sri Borhan Dolah appointed as the chairman.
Meanwhile, KBS in a statement today outlined several conditions in the general protocol on the general management of spectators under the standard operating procedure (SOP) in the sports and recreation sector.
Among them, spectators need to comply with the Movement Control Order (MCO) directives in effect, online ticket sales but the registration and collection of season passes are allowed at the venue in a scheduled, controlled manner while observing physical distancing.
Apart from that, the existing sales operation of the permitted championship is subject to the SOP while temporary sales stalls in the venue are not allowed.
The conditions outlined are for the movement of supporters into the venue in an orderly manner according to scheduled time and physical distancing among fans; the authorities and organisers reserve the right to reject any individuals who defied the SOP.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Mar 19 2021
However, Reezal Merican also says that the ministry had never stopped COVID-19 high-risk groups from attending matches, and there is also no law to stop them from doing so. AWANIpic
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.