Phase four of National Recovery Plan (PPN) SOPs: What is allowed and not allowed?

Here’s the list of activities that are permitted and disallowed for states that have entered Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (PPN).

After 6 months of lockdown, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob finally announced that Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Melaka, Johor and Terengganu will move from Phase Three to Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (PPN). 

In a statement released by the Prime Minister Office, he stated that the matter was decided at the meeting of the Special Committee on COVID-19 Pandemic Management. With the transition phase for these States, Malaysia as a whole would now move to Phase Three.

The following is a list of activities that are permitted and disallowed under Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan effective 18 October 2021.

Activities that are allowed during Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (PPN):

• All activities except for those listed under Negative List.

Activities that are not allowed during Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (PPN):

• Refer to Negative List

Areas under Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (PPN):

• W.P. Labuan*
• Negeri Sembilan
• Pahang
• Melaka
• Selangor
• W.P. Kuala Lumpur
• W.P. Putrajaya
• Terengganu
• Johor

*This SOP must be referred to the Special SOP of the Federal Territory of Labuan.

**For areas under the EMCO, SOPs enforced by PKPD in these areas are effective until the end of the EMCO.

When does Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) take effect?

• For W.P. Labuan, effective on 26 August 2021 (starting 12.01 am)
• For Negeri Sembilan, effective on 24 September 2021 (starting 12.01 am)
• For Pahang, effective on 8 October 2021 (starting 12.01 am)
• For Melaka, Selangor, KL, Putrajaya, effective on 18 October 2021 (starting 12.01 am)
• For Terengganu and Johor, effective on 25 October 2021 (starting 12.01am)

Fully vaccinated individuals: 

Individuals who have fulfilled these criteria are considered fully vaccinated:

• Double-dose vaccines such as Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Sinovac: 14 days after second-dose vaccination
• Single-dose vaccines such as Johnson & Johnson & CanSino: 28 days after vaccination

Read more: SOPs for fully vaccinated in Malaysia

Citizens and Non-Citizens Returning/Arriving from Overseas

1. Travelling citizens and non-citizens who have residences in Malaysia (including PRs and Malaysia MY Second Homes) who have returned or arrived from abroad and have been fully vaccinated are allowed to undergo mandatory home quarantine and are given a digital Home Surveillance and Observation Order (HSO) subject to the Ministry of Health (MOH) risk assessment and details issued by the MOH. They must:

• • Show evidence of RT PCR test report with negative results carried out 3 days before departure.
  • Have a certificate of completed COVID-19 vaccination (depending on the type of vaccine).
  • No symptoms during health screening at the National International Gateway (PMA).
  • Have a suitable residence to undergo quarantine.

2. Individuals returning / arriving from abroad and incompletely vaccinated or not vaccinated need to undergo quarantine at designated and vaccinated quarantine centres subject to details released by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

3. The mandatory quarantine for overseas travellers is 7 days at home (if appropriate) or ata quarantine station for fully-vaccinated individuals, and 10 days in a quarantine station for individuals who are not fully vaccinated. 

4. Travellers must conduct a self-assessment using the Home Assessment Tool (HAT) in the e MySejahtera app, every day until the end of the quarantine period (7 or 10 days after arrival).

5. Travellers must take a COVID-19 RT-PCR screening test on arrival.

Observation for Close Contact

• 7 day home quarantine for fully-vaccinated individuals.
• 10 day home quarantine for individuals who are not fully vaccinated.

Test & Release (T&R) Protocol

• The pilot program for the test & release (T&R) protocol is limited to this group of low-risk travellers arriving from overseas, with strict travel plans / itinerary for official visits:
  • National figure
  • Minister
  • Deputy Minister
  • Chief Minister
  • State EXCO member
  • Members of Parliament
  • Government official

 Requirements for Test & Release programme

• Submitting an application with supporting documents to MKN and KKM for approval
• Undergoing a PCR test 3 days before returning to Malaysia
• Undergoing a PCR test on arrival in Malaysia

General Health Protocols

• Licensees and premise owners are required to provide MySejahtera QR Code facilities and customer attendance registration books.
• Hand sanitisers are provided at the entrance and used before entry.
• Use of the MySejahtera application is mandatory in areas with wide internet access. The use of a customer attendance registration book is only allowed in areas with no internet coverage or other reasonable grounds (senior citizens, absence of smartphones etc.).
• Licensees and premise owners are to ensure that customers check into premises using MySejahtera or manually write names and phone numbers in the absence of internet coverage.
• Employers, employees, customers and visitors are required to check in with MySejahtera or manually write their names and legible phone numbers (if there is no internet coverage) before entering any premises including government and private offices.
• For shopping complexes, supermarkets or departmental stores, customers are only required to conduct a one-time body temperature scan at the entrance of the complex and not at every business premise in that building.
• Those with body temperatures above 37.5 degrees Celsius are not allowed to enter complexes and premises.
• Owners of businesses and premises outside the building must ensure that only customers with Low-Risk status including Casual Contact Low Risk in MySejahtera or COVID-19 Vaccination Card are allowed to enter their respective complexes or premises.
• Licensees and premise owners must ensure customer control of the premises with a physical distancing of at least 1 metre.
• Individuals under 18 years of age are discouraged from going to public places and facilities.
• Licensees and premise owners must limit the number of customers in their premises with physical distancing of at least 1 metre at any one time.
• Each premise must display the total entry limit for customers at any one time. The use of a queue numbering system is encouraged for customers entering a particular premise.
• All building owners must provide QR Codes at every level.
• Employees, suppliers and customers are required to wear masks correctly according to MOH recommendations when they are in the premises.
• Ensure good ventilation systems on the premises based on the guidelines on ventilation and indoor air quality issued by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).

When is it okay to not wear a mask in public spaces?

• Hotel rooms or paid accommodation involving members of households.
• Solitary workspace.
• Sports and recreational activities.
• Own vehicles and vehicles involving members of households.
• Indoor or outdoor public areas and areas without any other individuals.
• During meals and drinking in public places without any other individuals (other than in restaurants or premises food).

Movement and Travel 

• Inter-state travel is allowed for fully vaccinated individuals
• Fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to bring children 18 years of age and younger in compliance with general health protocols.
• Inter-state travel is not allowed in MCO or EMCO areas.
• Interstate travel by workers is subject to the worker’s pass or the employer’s confirmation letter.
• Individuals who are not fully vaccinated may travel for funerals and emergencies, after getting permission from the police.
• All vehicles, whether driven by individuals, for transportation of goods or public transport, are allowed to travel at full capacity.
• Airports, ports and the logistic sectors are allowed to operate 24 hours.

Dine-in at restaurants

• Restaurant operators, including hotels, sports and recreational clubhouses, food shops, food stalls, food trucks, roadside hawkers, food courts, food carts, and food kiosks are allowed to offer dine-in services, subject to these conditions:
  • Only fully vaccinated and asymptomatic customers are allowed.
  • Shop owners must display a notice at the entrance stating that only fully vaccinated customers who are asymptomatic are allowed to enter.
  • Only fully vaccinated and asymptomatic workers are allowed to work.
  • Shop owners must arrange the tables with physical distancing, and ensure the premise has good ventilation.
  • Dine-in is allowed with a physical distance of at least 1 metre.
• Individuals who are fully vaccinated are allowed to bring their children who are 18 years or younger to dine in.

Read: COVID-19 items you need at home in case of infection

Social Activities

• Social activities such as feasts, festive celebrations, wedding or engagement celebrations, wedding ceremonies, receptions, aqiqah ceremonies, prayers, tahlil, birthday celebrations, birthday celebrations, reunions, retreats and other social ceremonies are allowed for fully vaccinated individuals with 50% space capacity and physical incarceration.
• Fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to bring children 18 years of age and under in compliance with general health protocols.
• Activities, gatherings or social events related to the Melaka State Election, including the launching ceremonies of the election machinery, are not allowed from 25 October to 27 November 2021.

Sports and Recreational Activities

• All outdoor sports and recreational activities with physical contact are limited to fully vaccinated individuals.
• All indoor sports and recreational activities, with or without physical contact, done individually or in groups, are limited to fully vaccinated individuals.
• The operation of all outdoor and indoor sports and recreational facilities at 100% employee and customer capacity is allowed but limited to fully vaccinated individuals and their children who are 18 years and younger, subject to compliance with strict SOP.
• Group sports and recreational activities / training (without or without contact) are limited to fully vaccinated individuals and their children who are below 18 years old, with supervision and limited to 1,000 persons at any one time, including the coach / instructor / parents, or less.
• Competitions or championships, with or without physical touch, at community, district, state, national or international levels require permission from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), limited to 1,000 participants at any one time for sports like triathlon, open water swimming, marathon, trail run, obstacle run and so on. 
• Spectator / supporter presence at sports and recreational venues are limited to 50% of capacity or 20,000 people (whichever is lower) and limited to fully vaccinated individuals who are 18 years or older only.
• The operation of both outdoor and indoor sports and recreational facilities are subject to the rules of the local authorities / relevant authorities.
• The entry of foreign athletes, coaches, officials, technical help to Malaysia are subject to the rules governing entry of foreigners into Malaysia.

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated /unvaccinated

• Restricted to individual sports and recreational activities that do not involve touch, with a physical distance of at least 1-3 metres performed outdoors.

Tourism Activities

• Tourism and cultural activities are allowed for fully-vaccinated individuals, subject to physical distancing and venue capacity.
  • Tourism attractions like beach activities, water sports, snorkelling, scuba diving, sports fishing, edutainment centre, recreational park, extreme park, adventure park, nature park, farm, aquarium, zoo and so on.
  • Special interest activities like golfing, scuba diving, cycling, angling, yachting and so on.
    
  • Ecotourism activities like bird watching, caving, mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, hiking, jungle trekking, camping and so on.
    
  • Art, culture and heritage premises like museum, library, art gallery, art and cultural village, cultural shows and so on.
    
  • Theme park and family entertainment centre
    
  • Academic premises like science centre, planetarium and Petrosains.
    
  • Tourism and cultural events.
• Fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to bring their children who are 18 years or younger, subject to general health protocols.
• Interstate tourism is allowed for fully vaccinated individuals, except for EMCO (PKPD) areas or any areas restricted by the government.
• Licensed and registered hotels and homestay are allowed for fully vaccinated individuals.
• All other tourism and cultural activities, other than those specified in the Negative List, are allowed.

Working in the public and private sector: 

• 100% attendance capacity.
• Civil service is subject to the current orders by the Secretary to the Government of Malaysia.

Meetings and Interviews: 

• Face-to-face meetings are allowed for fully-vaccinated individuals, at full venue capacity but with physical distancing.
• Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated must undergo a pre-event test using a (saliva) self-test kit, or have confirmation from a medical practitioner before attending a face-to-face meeting, or conduct the meeting via video conferencing.
• Meetings conducted through video conferencing are encouraged.

Seminars, Workshops, Courses, Training and Talks as well as MICE

• Seminars, workshops, courses, training and talks as well as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) are allowed for fully-vaccination individuals, subject to space capacity with physical distancing.
• Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated must undergo a pre-event test using a (saliva) self-test kit, or have confirmation from a medical practitioner before attending.

Government Official Council and Private Events

• Official events by the government or private sector are allowed for fully-vaccinated individuals, at full venue capacity but with physical distancing.
• Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated must undergo a pre-event test using a (saliva) self-test kit, or have confirmation from a medical practitioner before attending.

Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock, Plantation and Commodities

• All of these activities, and their supply chain, are allowed to operate according to their licences, except those mentioned in the Negative List.

Manufacturing, Construction, Mining and Quarrying

• Manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying activities are ALLOWED, according to these rulings:
  • 80% to 100%: Allowed to operate at 100% worker capacity
  • Less than 80%: Allowed to operate at 80% worker capacity only
• Workers must undergo RTK antigen tests every two weeks, at the employer’s cost.

Trade and distribution sector

Businesses that can only serve fully-vaccinated customers:

1. Photographic equipment and photography shop
2. Preloved (second hand) shop
3. Flower and nursery shop
4. Handicraft and souvenir shop
5. Antique shop
6. Games shop
7. Carpet shop
8. Creative content and equipment shop
9. Outdoor equipment (including camping, fishing and other equipment)
10. Cosmetics, skincare and perfume
11. Tobacco shop (including vape and electronic cigarette)
12. House and kitchen appliance shop
13. Furniture shop
14. Sporting goods shop
15. Car accessories shop
16. Car sales and distribution
17. Clothes, fashion and accessories shop
18. Jewellery shop
19. Barbershop
20. Beauty salon / center
21. House showroom

• Premise owners must ensure that customers who wish to enter the premises must present a COVID 19 Vaccination Digital Certificate Card proving that the customer has been fully vaccinated.
• Parents or guardians who have received complete vaccination are allowed to bring the child below to the premises in compliance with general health protocols.

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Market

• All markets, except the night market and weekend market, are allowed to operate according to their licence or permit subject to the local authority (PBT) with SOP compliance and monitoring by RELA or PBT.
• Wholesale markets are ALLOWED to open according to their licensed time, subject to the full vaccination of all employees, complying with the SOP and under RELA / PBT supervision.
• Night market and weekend market are allowed to operate, subject to customers proving that they are fully vaccinated by showing their COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card.

Spa, Wellness Centre and Health Massage

• Spa, wellness and massage parlours are allowed to operate, on the condition that both customers and operators are fully vaccinated, from 1 October 2021 onwards.
• Employees and customers must be fully vaccinated, not COVID-19 positive and not close contacts to positive cases, and not symptomatic.
• Walk-in is not allowed. Only customers with prior appointments are allowed.
• Employees must wear disposable gloves, face masks and face shields while at work.
• Employees must replace their disposable gloves, liners for the bed or mattress or chair, and clean all equipment including face shields before attending to each customer.
• The ventilation system must be maintained according to schedule.
• MOTAC will monitor these conditions:
  • Spa operators must declare how many employees are fully vaccinated to MOTAC before they are allowed to operate
  • SOP Self-Compliance Program, especially ventilation within the premise.
  • MOTAC will monitor compliance by conducting periodical spot checks
  • COVID-19 screening test of symptomatic employees

Education

• All schools and educational institutes under, or registered under, the Ministry of Education (KPM), can open for students based on KPM’s decisions.

Primary School Reopening:

Stage 1

1. Special needs students (MBK) in National Special Education Schools and Integrated Special Education Program can attend classes without rotation.
   
2. Pre-school / private kindergarten students can attend classes without rotation.
   
3. All other students will continue with online classes.

Stage 2

1. Special needs students (MBK) in National Special Education Schools and Integrated Special Education Program can attend classes without rotation.
2. Pre-school / private kindergarten students can attend classes without rotation.
3. Standard 1, 2 and 3 students can attend classes with rotation.
4. Standard 4, 5 and 6 students will continue with online classes.
   

Stage 3 

1. Special needs students (MBK) in National Special Education Schools and Integrated Special Education Program can attend classes without rotation.
2. Pre-school / private kindergarten students can attend classes without rotation.
3. Standard 1, 2 and 3 students can attend classes with rotation.
4. Standard 4, 5 and 6 students can attend classes with rotation.

Secondary School Reopening:

Stage 1

1. Form 6 Semester 2, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) Year 2 and Pre-University Program Semester 3 students in Malaysia Sports School (SSM) can attend classes without rotation.
2. Special needs students (MBK) in National Special Education / Vocational Schools or PPKI can attend classes without rotation.
3. Students sitting for public exams like SPM, STAM, SVM, STPM in full boarding schools can attend classes without rotation.
4. Students sitting for international IGCSE (International General Certificate for Secondary Education) O Level, A-Level and Australia Higher School Certificate and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme can attend classes without rotation.
5. Students sitting for public exams like SPM, STAM, SVM, STPM in day / private schools can attend classes with rotation.
6. Students sitting for other international exams can attend classes with rotation.
7. All other students will continue with online classes.
   

Stage 2

1. Form 6 Semester 2, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) Year 2 and Pre-University Program Semester 3 students in Malaysia Sports School (SSM) can attend classes without rotation.
2. Special needs students (MBK) in National Special Education / Vocational Schools or PPKI can attend classes without rotation.
3. Students sitting for public exams like SPM, STAM, SVM, STPM, Form 3 and Form 4 in full boarding schools can attend classes without rotation.
4. Students sitting for international IGCSE (International General Certificate for Secondary Education) O Level, A-Level and Australia Higher School Certificate and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme can attend classes without rotation.
5. Students sitting for other international exams can attend classes with rotation.
6. Students sitting for public exams like SPM, STAM, SVM, STPM, Form 3 and Form 4 in day / private schools can attend classes with rotation.
7. Remove Class, Form 1 and Form 2 students will continue with online classes.
   

Stage 3

1. International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) Year 2 and Pre-University Program Semester 3 students in Malaysia Sports School (SSM) can attend classes without rotation.
2. Special needs students (MBK) in National Special Education / Vocational Schools or PPKI can attend classes without rotation.
3. All students in full boarding schools can attend classes without rotation.
4. All other students, including students in private, international and expatriate schools can attend classes with rotation.

• All Matriculation College students of the 2 Semester System and 4 Semester System (Semester 3) can attend classes, while students of the 4 Semester System (Semester 1) can either attend classes or online classes.
• All Teachers Training Institute (IPG) students can return to campus in stages from 7 November 2021 for Group A states, and 8 November 2021 for Group B states.
• All face-to-face and group learning are allowed, subject to the existing SOP.

Inter-State Travel:

• Students are allowed to travel interstate to attend school/educational institution with the letter of confirmation from KPM, MARA or the Ministry/Agency concerned.
• Students are allowed to be accompanied by a guardian / parent while travelling to and from their school or other educational institute.
• Teachers or lecturers who are involved in face-to-face classes are allowed to travel interstate, with a confirmation letter from
• KPM, MARA or the Ministry/Agency concerned.
• Students who need to travel from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah, Sarawak or Labuan and vice versa must comply with existing quarantine rules.

Movement Control of Students/Students Returning to Hostels

• Students are allowed to travel interstate to their hostels with a confirmation letter from KPM, MARA or the Ministry/Agency concerned.
• Students staying in hostels must test themselves using the COVID-19 Self-Test Kit three times – before registering to enter, on the 6th day and on the 14th day in their hostel.
• IPG students are encouraged to test themselves using the COVID-19 Self-Test Kit a day before returning, or getting a screening test at a healthcare facility and notifying the IPG management of the results.

Others

• Industrial training and skills training centres, including vocational college, TVET and so on are allowed to operate.
• All schools and skill training institutes other than those under KPM, tahfiz centre and other educational institutes are subject to their relevant Ministry or Agency.
• All institutes of higher learning will be open in stages to students who are fully vaccinated.
• All learning activities in institutes of higher learning – face-to-face, in groups – are allowed for fully vaccinated students. Hybrid learning will be conducted for students on campus, while online learning will continue for students who are unable to return to campus.
• International and professional exams, as well as research activities requiring lab access in tertiary education facilities are ALLOWED.
• Students in boarding schools or universities are ALLOWED to continue hybrid studies.

Kindergartens, Nurseries, Day Care Centres and Residential Care Centres

• Daycare and childcare facilities under the Welfare Department (JKM) are allowed to operate.
• Private and public kindergartens, kindergartens in private, international and expatriate schools and mind development centres are allowed to operate.
• Home care or rehabilitation centres of children, the disabled (OKU), senior citizens, women and other care facilities are allowed to operate, subject to the SOP.
• The operators and employees of these kindergarten, childcare and care facilities must be fully vaccinated.

Religious Activities

• Prayer activities are allowed for fully vaccinated individuals, subject to the rules and SOP of the state Islamic religious authority.
• Islamic wedding ceremony (akad nikah) is allowed only in the Islamic Religious Office / Department with the attendance capacity set by the State Religious Authority.
• Prayer activities are allowed for fully vaccinated individuals, subject to the rules and SOP of the Ministry of National Unity (KPN).
• Non-Muslim marriage registrations are allowed at the National Registration Department (JPN), houses of worship and religious associations, subject to limits set by JPN.
• Burial activities are allowed according to limits set by the State Religion Authority (Islam) or the National Unity Ministry (Non-Muslim).

Recreational Fishing

• Recreational fishing, including fishing ponds, is allowed for fully vaccinated individuals.

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Picnic and Camping

• Picnic and camping are allowed for fully vaccinated individuals.
• Fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to bring children 18 years and younger for such activities, subject to strict SOP.

Creative and Entertainment Industry

• All creative industry practitioners who are fully vaccinated are ALLOWED to resume these activities:
  • Development and broadcast of recorded or live-streamed creative content
    
  • Broadcast or live stream of information and entertainment
    
  • In-studio or outdoor filming
    
  • Busking
    
  • Lounge hotel performances
    
  • Live performances like theatre, musical, music and comedy (pre-registered)
    
  • Cinema activities

Cruise Ship

• Cruise ships are allowed to operate at 50% capacity, on the condition that all crew members and passengers are fully vaccinated.
• Pub and nightclub activities onboard are not allowed.

Driving School

• Driving schools are allowed to operate, with the condition that all workers, teaching staff and candidates must be fully vaccinated, with a COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate or card as evidence.
• Only employees who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic are allowed to work.

Prohibited activities during Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (Negative list):

These activities are not allowed using the National Recovery Plan Recovery Phase 4 SOP.

Entertainment

• Night club or pub activities

Tourism Activities

• Local tourism involves foreign tourists entering Malaysia.

Sports and Reactional Activities

• Sports and recreational activities exceed the allowed capacity.
• Championships, competitions, and matches without KBS permission.
• Any activity that involves many people gathering in one place until it is hard to maintain physical distancing, and compliance with the Director-General of Health’s orders.

Others

• Any other matter that may be decided by the Government from time to time.