Theme parks allowed to resume operations starting July 1

PUTRAJAYA – The Special Ministerial Meeting on the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) on June 29 announced more flexibility, including allowing theme parks to reopen from July 1, as reported on Bernama.

Also, it was decided that body temperature screening would only be conducted once and not multiple times at shopping malls.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said it will involve 54 theme parks including water theme parks and a workforce of more than 10,000 nationwide.

In line with the decision, visitors to shopping malls will now only have to record their temperature once at the main entrance, and not at every store in the mall.

However, operators of all theme parks and shopping malls must adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) such as social distancing at all times.

“For theme parks, the limit of visitors allowed to enter depends on the capacity and size of the theme park. Visitors also have to register with MySejahtera and undergo body temperature checks and hand sanitisation,” he said in his daily media briefing yesterday.

Water theme park operators in particular, have to follow the guidelines on the Management and Maintenance of Public Swimming Pools by the local authorities, as well as monitoring the water quality.

The guidelines and SOPs can be obtained from the National Security Council’s (NSC) website as well as from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC).

Although, stores in shopping malls and hotels no longer need to conduct temperature screening checks, but they still need to record attendance of customers such as names and phone numbers via the MySejahtera application or manually.

“This will enable contact tracing if there is a case of COVID-19 reported,” he said.

On wedding receptions, Ismail Sabri said it was agreed at the meeting to allow no more than 250 guests at a time for ‘akad nikah’ at mosques and weddings at halls, houses and so on.

“These guest limits are subject to the capacity and size of the premises as well as in compliance with relevant SOPs in force. The same thing applies to places of worship and Non-Muslim Religious Associations,” he said.

It was earlier reported that the government would allow social events including wedding or engagement ceremonies, tahlil, aqiqah, doa selamat, anniversary and birthday parties as well as reunions starting from July 1st.