One Covid-19 SOP with 10 rules to be enforced, and nine recommendations to apply to all from April 1, 2022

 

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As Malaysia transitions into the endemic phase, the government will cut down the Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) from the existing 181 to just one.
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Senior Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who heads the Ministerial Quartet, said the one SOP contains 10 requirements that will continue to be enforced under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

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The 10 requirements under the one SOP are:
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1. Wear a face mask when in public
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2. Operation hours must adhere to the permit or licence
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3. Maintain hand hygiene
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4. Perform Covid-19 tests according to the National Testing Strategy
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5. Manage suspected or confirmed Covid-19 cases according to the Health Ministry’s guidelines
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6. Use MySejahtera and MySJTrace for admission registration
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7. Ensure physical distancing of one metre
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8. Ensure a good ventilation system
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9. Ensure the cleanliness of premises
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10. Comply with the vaccination requirements for various activities
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The 10 requirements include the need to wear face masks and to practise physical distancing.
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“In essence, this one SOP for the ‘Transition to Endemicity’ phase has been simplified from the 181 SOP that was enforced under the National Recovery Plan.
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“This one SOP will be enforced under Act 342 from April 1.
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“All 10 requirements have been practised by the public throughout the pandemic. I believe everyone can adhere to it,” he said yesterday.
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Hishammuddin said besides the one SOP, there would also be nine guidelines for the public to follow.
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These would not be enforced, but the people would be encouraged to adhere to them to lower the risk of infection.
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“Each of the guidelines will explain how to conduct Covid-19 risk assessments and how to practise the SOP properly for the different activities,” he said.
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The guidelines cover activities related to transportation and travel; education and care; retail, food and beverage; closed workspaces; open workspaces; events, ceremonies, entertainment and tourist attractions; hotels and guest accommodations; religious events, weddings and funerals; and sports, recreation and leisure.
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He said the SOP and nine guidelines of the Transition to Endemicity phase would be published on a website that could be accessed two weeks before April 1. 

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Everyone must do their part to lowering Covid-19 infectivity rate

PETALING JAYA: The nation’s Covid-19 infectivity rate will keep rising due to increasing active clusters and sporadic cases in the community unless people are vaccinated quickly and widely, say health experts.

Universiti Putra Malaysia medical epidemiologist Assoc Prof Dr Malina Osman said the rise in the infectivity rate, or the R-naught (R0) value, was expected as there were about 850 active clusters nationwide as of Monday.

She said active clusters had been increasing since April 4, when 359 were recorded. On May 5, the number of active clusters rose to 411 and on June 6, it climbed to 713.

“Even though we hope cases can be reduced through contact tracing and screening, some cases from ongoing clusters may have been left unchecked or escaped the screening. This subsequently introduces the infection to other settings.

“That is why a self-lockdown and adherence to the standard operating procedure (SOP) are very important to curb the spread,” she said when contacted yesterday.

To bring down the R0, Dr Malina said cooperation from the community was vital.

“Suppression of the infection is no longer on the government’s shoulders alone. It has to be done fully by the community.

“We hope that by next week, the number of fully vaccinated persons in the community can reach up to 10% (of the population) and that people will adhere to the SOP.

“Without these measures, the R0 projection may be increased,” she said, adding that this would contribute to more Covid-19 cases.

“Those who have been vaccinated need to continue adhering to the SOP. As for those who are entitled

to receive the vaccine early, please contact the nearest healthcare facility directly,” she said.

Dr Malina suggested that the government allow the elderly and people with disabilities to get their vaccine via walk-ins and for those in the economic sectors to be vaccinated together with their families.

Since the start of the ongoing lockdown on June 1, the R0 levels nationwide had dropped from a high of 1.07 to a low of 0.90 on June 12.But from June 13 to June 20, the R0 gradually rose from 0.91 to 0.97.

The R0 of a virus is a measure of its transmission or number of new infections generated by each case.

For example, an R0 rate of 1.0 means that on average, each infected person will infect one other person they come into contact with.

On June 20, the highest R0 recorded was in Negri Sembilan at 1.05. This was followed by Johor (1.0), Sarawak (0.99), Labuan (0.98), Kuala Lumpur (0.96), Sabah (0.96), Selangor (0.93), Melaka (0.91), Kedah (0.90) and Perak (0.90). The remaining states recorded an R0 of less than 0.90 each.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia health economics, hospital and health management Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said she believed the R0 would keep rising unless the government could vaccinate the population “quickly and widely enough”.She added that Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Johor had contributed to the increasing infectivity rate.

“The projected average R0 next week may increase to more than 1.0 unless we can curtail sporadic cases through increased screening, detection and isolation while maintaining a high inoculation rate in red zones in these states,” she said.

She added that the movement of people was also a contributing factor, as evidenced by the high number of private sector employees who were allowed to go to their workplace despite the lockdown.

She said the inability to tackle the high number of sporadic cases in the community had also fuelled the R0, adding that those cases were usually asymptomatic and could contribute to the high number of daily “brought in dead” cases nationwide.

“Since many people have not been vaccinated or screened for Covid-19, they could be moving around and spreading the virus,”

she said.She advised people from hard-hit areas where sporadic cases had been reported to go for screening.She added that the fee for Covid-19 tests should also be kept low to enable people to access the service.

The government, Prof Sharifa Ezat said, should ease access to vaccines by having more outreach programmes, drive-through vaccinations and vaccine literacy talks.

International Islamic University Malaysia epidemiologist Prof Dr Jamalludin Ab Rahman had also observed the R0 increase early on.“Since the R0 values are compared to the previous values, the day when we observe a significant dip may cause the subsequent daily R0 to be higher,” he said.

Prof Jamalludin said the rising R0 may prove to be of concern, but this could only be determined if testing rates remained constant since the number of tests could affect the reporting of new cases.

He was also concerned about sporadic cases in the community.

“If the investigation of each positive case is not done properly, we might miss contacts which would spread further to others,” he added.

He said to some degree, the lockdown and vaccination programme had been able to bring down the transmission rates.

But he said the authorities needed to identify the source of Covid-19 cases, which mainly come from workplace clusters currently, and potentially also community clusters.

“We also need to improve the vaccine rollout. We need to secure the supply and quickly vaccinate the population. There is no magic or faster way out,” he added.

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DOMESTIC TOURISM SOP UNDER CMCO; ‘Follow SOP even after jab’

THE government announced that Selangor, Johor, Kuala Lumpur and Penang will join Kedah, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Perak and Sarawak* under the conditional movement control order from March 5-18, while Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Putrajaya, Labuan and Perlis are in the recovery MCO category. With the relaxation of movement restrictions, the travel sector has reopened, including wellness centres and spas, recreational parks, art galleries and theme parks. * (until March 15).

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‘Follow SOP even after jab’

As the national immunisation programme to battle Covid-19 enters its second week, health experts say those who have been vaccinated still need to observe the standard operating procedure to protect the community in general.

As of March 11, a total of 249,909 jabs have been administered, mostly to frontliners.

The government targets herd immunity with 80% of the population vaccinated by next February.

Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk Dr Subramaniam Muniandy said those vaccinated would still need to observe the SOP such as wearing face masks, practising physical distancing and sanitising their hands to protect others who have yet to be vaccinated.

 

 Such measures were necessary because it has yet to be established how effective each of the vaccines would be against any new mutations of Covid-19.

“We will also likely require booster jabs to protect against new mutations. For now, we can assume that observing the SOP is needed until the pandemic is declared over or if a cure is available, ” he said.

Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia president Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah concurred, saying “there are several unknowns which make wearing a face mask and social distancing important to protect the community”.

“Only a handful of vaccines can claim to give complete protection.

“This may seem counterintuitive but vaccinated people may still transmit the virus, even if they do not display the symptoms, ” he said.

However, Dr Raj said whether one still needed to follow the SOP after herd immunity was achieved was still “too early to tell”.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in its updated guidelines, states that those who have been fully vaccinated can attend indoor gatherings with other fully vaccinated people without wearing face masks.

The guidelines say that those fully vaccinated do not need to stay away from others or get tested for the virus even though they have been around someone who has the virus, unless they develop symptoms.

But the CDC adds that if a person lives in a group setting and is around persons who have the virus, they should stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if they do not develop symptoms.

Universiti Malaya epidemiologist Prof Datuk Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud, who heads the Independent Covid-19 Vaccination Advisory Committee, said the SOP needed to remain in place while the vaccination programme was ongoing until infection levels became very low

“This is to buy time while herd immunity is being built.

“It takes time for individuals to build up sufficient immunity to resist the virus as many of these vaccines require two doses and it takes a few weeks for the body to respond adequately after each dose.

“It will be prudent not to rush to lift all travel restrictions too soon, ” he said.

Even if herd immunity is achieved, Prof Awang Bulgiba proposed easing the SOP gradually, instead of lifting it at one go.

“We need to establish through epidemiological studies that herd immunity is building up and that it is sustainable.

“Once herd immunity has been established, the SOP can be eased gradually and we can return to pre-pandemic norms, ” Prof Awang Bulgiba said.

He also recommended that the government set up a Voluntary Vaccination Registry to follow up on 50,000 people who have been vaccinated for two years, citing a case in Brazil where a resurgence of cases was seen.

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Registered childcare centres can stay open during the conditional movement control order (CMCO)

 

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REGISTERED childcare centres and nurseries caring for the children of frontliners and working parents are allowed to operate during the conditional movement control order (MCO) period.

However, the childcare centres and nurseries need to adhere fully to the standard operating procedure.

Penang welfare committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the requirements included ensuring that the centres were registered with the state Welfare Department.

“The centres need to obtain permission from the state Welfare Department director and submit verification letters from the employers of the parents or guardians confirming that the affected parent or guardian needs to work.

“They also need to adhere to the SOP for taska safety and the social care sector as directed by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

Phee added that unregistered childcare centres and nurseries looking to obtain permission to operate would not be considered.

“This is in line with the operating permission for childcare centres and nurseries during the conditional MCO period under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

“Childcare centres under technical agencies including state authorities, the Fire and Rescue Department as well as the Health Department need to fulfill requirements under these agencies for licences to be issued.

“Then the centres can put forward their applications to the Welfare Department for registration.

“Under the district Welfare Department office, all completed and submitted applications will be processed within 48 hours.”

For more details or a list of the registered childcare centres, the public may visit www.jkm.gov.my

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Not all golf clubs adhere to buggy policy

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Golf has been fortunate enough to continue in the Covid climate.

The one-buggy one-player recommendation not enforced everywhere

AS the Covid-19 pandemic continues to afflict golf clubs across the length and breadth of the nation, one or two have resorted to giving the buggies recommendation a miss.

Almost all the local clubs have embraced the one-buggy oneplayer policy set in the guidelines of the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA). However, a quick check by TeeUp has revealed that there was one or two who chose not to follow suit and have opted to continue as before (the pandemic).

It is understood that the MGA “guidelines” are recommendations and the clubs are not bound by law to carry them out, unless they are those incorporated from the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the health authorities.

Not surprisingly, the said clubs contacted for comment on the matter declined to offer any response.

It must be mentioned also that at one of the clubs (where twoper-buggy is still practiced), the players must be husband and wife, or from the same family and/ or the same Covid bubble.

All the other leading clubs in the Klang Valley that TeeUp spoke to about the buggy policy said they had initiated the MGA’s guidelines in full.

Speaking to TeeUp in an earlier interview, MGA president Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor (R) said they would issue updates as when these became applicable and added that they too were being guided by the Health Ministry.

“These SOPs and guidelines have been put in place to help curb the spread of the coronavirus and we will continue to work with the health authorities in their efforts to flatten the curve,” he said.

“It is our sincere hope that the golf clubs and other industry stakeholders will join forces and adhere to the SOPs without exception. This is most important in the fight to curb the spread of this virus.”

Mohd Anwar added that the national association’s annual general meeting, which was scheduled for last month, will be held at a date to be determined when “all is safe to do so.

“We had no option but to postpone the annual general meeting because of Covid-19. The safety and well-being of our members and all others in the related fields of golf, is our priority and we will not detour from this approach,” added Mohd Anwar.

“Once things improve and we get the nod from the health authorities, we will host the annual meeting – but not before then.”

At this year’s annual general meeting (if indeed it does go ahead) there will be no elections for the top positions within the organisation, given that they are in the middle of their terms.

The Professional Golf Association of Malaysia (PGAM) were also expected to have staged their annual meeting by now, but failed to do so because of the pandemic. And they are, likewise, waiting to set a new date when the circumstances allow them to.

Golf is one of the few sports that has been fortunate enough to continue in the present Covid climate, but with strict standard operating procedures set down by the Health Ministry. Among these are:

Pre-Game SOPs

• > Golfers with any colds or coughs or any symptoms of Covid 19 shall be prohibited from entering the golf club.
• > Bookings shall be made in advance.
• > Enforce one golfer per buggy.
• > Golf competitions suspended until further notice.
• > Use MySejahtera to record golfers and employees entry to the golf club.
• > Accept only online payment or bank transfer. Registration counter shall not accept any cash payment.
• > Golfers shall register 20 minutes before tee time. Registration staff to be equipped with face masks/gloves. Hand sanitiser readily available at registration counter and disposable pencils made available.
• > Temperature check for each golfer before entering the golf club and to sanitise their hands by security guard.
• > One golfer to register for each flight.
• > Social distancing markers to be clearly outlined at the registration counter.
• > Interaction shall be limited between golfers and staff.
• > Each golfer to complete and submit a Health/ Travel Declaration form prior registration.

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