PUTRAJAYA, 14 JULY: According to NRP Coordinating Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, states that have transitioned to Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) would not revert to Phase One. Tengku Zafrul, who is also the Finance Minister, stated that it is not sustainable for a country to “open and close” a state, and that the NRP is a roadmap with particular planning to help people return to regular life.
“If there are cases (Covid-19) in a certain area or location, that area or location will be closed or (imposed with) EMCO (Enhanced Movement Control Order), not the entire State,” he said after completing a survey at Kiosk D'[email protected] and Precinct 9 Food Court here today.
Perlis, Perak, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, and Sarawak are among the eight states that have moved to Phase Two of the NRP.
He predicted that additional states will follow suit in moving to Phase Two and then Phase Three.
The standard operating procedures (SOP) in EMCO zones, according to Tengku Zafrul, needed to be strengthened because “important” factories had opened.
“Covid-19 screening tests, for example, must be performed twice a week. Importantly, we must limit the number of cases in EMCO areas that contributed to the country’s total Covid-19 instances “he stated
Tengku Zafrul said he held NRP engagement sessions with a number of political parties and stakeholders this week, and that the sessions will continue in the near future.
He described the meetings as “very constructive,” noting that “a variety of contributions have been received,” particularly in the areas of health and relief to individuals affected in EMCO zones.
He went on to say that he has discussed the NRP with the Parti Pejuang Tanah Air, UMNO, PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Parti Amanah Negara, PKR, DAP, Bersatu, MCA, and MIC./n
