The government has allowed all spas, wellness and reflexology centres to resume operations starting July 1, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced today.

He said the centres, however, must comply with the recovery movement control order (RMCO) standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the National Security Council and the Ministry of Health, such as registering all customers and have their body temperature checked, besides providing hand sanitiser and wearing face masks.

However, the minister said only workers of Malaysian citizens are allowed to resume work at the premises for the time being.

“They (workers) must also undergo COVID-19 test before returning to work, while customers need to download and use the MySejahtera app for monitoring purposes,” he told the press conference on the latest development under the RMCO here today.

Also allowed to be resumed from July 1 are all meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE), as well as trade and tourism expositions.

Ismail Sabri said for MICE, only 250 people will be allowed entry at a time and all visitors will also be required to download and use the MySejahtera app for entry registration purposes.

“Organisers must ensure that the SOP, such as registration and body temperature check for the visitors, as well as entry/exit control and social distancing rules are being followed.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the government has also agreed to allow fitting of clothes or shoes in stores.

“Just that shoppers are encouraged to wear socks, preferably their won, before trying on the shoes in stores,” he said.

He also clarified that tailor shops have actually been allowed to reopen the same time the government allowed shopping malls and department store to reopen, as confusion had caused many tailors to remain non-operational.

Commenting on a report that morning and night market traders were not wearing face masks, the minister said local authorities have the power to revoke the traders’ licences.

He said although the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988 or Act 342 does not compel the use of face mask except for those who are symptomatic, it is still part of the SOP set by the local authorities before allowing the traders to resume operations.

When asked whether the government would set visitor capacity limit for homestay, he said no, but stressed that the operators should always try to ensure a suitable number of visitors to maintain social distancing.

-- BERNAMA