The government hopes to announce measures to ease restrictions against exercising in public “soon”, said Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
“We are considering relaxing non-close contact exercises, provided guidelines, such as social distancing and avoiding mass gatherings, are adhered to,” the health director-general said in his daily Covid-19 briefing in Putrajaya today.
Noor Hisham was responding to a question on whether the Health Ministry will lift restrictions against solitary exercises, such as jogging and walking, in public spaces, such as parks, as Malaysia begins its recovery phase today.
Unlike countries such as the UK, Australia and Singapore, Malaysia imposed a full ban on all forms of exercising in public spaces when it began its movement control order (MCO) on March 18.
In Singapore, joggers are allowed to run provided they maintain a 10m distance from other people.
On March 31, 11 individuals in Mont Kiara were fined RM1,000 each for jogging in their area.
Meanwhile, Noor Hisham said the government is reviewing the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the services sector.
“We are in the process of looking into the SOP for each sector. An announcement on that will be made soon,” he said.
Noor Hisham, however, did not disclose any time frame for when the SOPs for exercising and the services sector will be revealed.
The government yesterday loosened some restrictions by allowing several economic sectors that were allowed to run at a limited capacity during the first three phases of the MCO to work at full capacity.
However, it is still mandatory for the companies to adhere to procedures, including physical distancing of workers and hygiene measures.
The government has also allowed two people from a family to go out and buy essential items and services.
Previously, only the head of the household was allowed to do so.
The MCO, which was enforced on March 18, has been extended until May 12.
Malaysia today recorded 94 new Covid-19 cases and no deaths.
Fifty-five patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of recoveries to 4,087, or 68.75% of the overall number of cases. – TMI