KUALA LUMPUR (April 7): Putrajaya will decide on fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic later this week, the Malay Mail reported today.

According to the report, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pictured) revealed that the National Security Council (NSC) and the Home Ministry (KDN) will brief the government this Thursday on “future implementation of the SOP during the movement control order (MCO) period based on the severity of cases in each zone in the country”.

“MKN (NSC) along with KDN will come up with a new SOP based on different zones. For example, Putrajaya is now considered sensitive as it is a red zone. Other than the red zones, we have the green zones in which there are no positive COVID-19 cases.

“So we are analysing the SOPs so there might be some relaxation of the rules. If there are zero (cases) maybe (these areas will be) given some relaxation.

“But I did not say there will be less tight rules, it will be decided after the briefing,” he said during a media conference at Putrajaya today.

Ismail Sabri said there had been many requests from organisations and businesses about resuming operations, but “extensive study is needed before any decision is made”, reported the news portal.

He explained that there could be a situation where a factory is located in a green zone but may have employees residing in red zones.

“The green zone will turn into a red zone afterward,” said Ismail Sabri.

He also touched on countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore which now have increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases after relaxing restrictions.

Stay calm. Stay at home. Keep updated on the latest news at www.EdgeProp.my #stayathome #flattenthecurve