Food & Beverage Impact: Monitoring Update - Malaysia (30 APRIL 2020)

On 29 April, the phase 4 of MCO started and it is scheduled to expire on 12 May 2020. In the phase 4 of MCO, the government has loosened restrictions for the movement of public. In phase 4, public is allowed to travel in pair per household for beyond 10 km to shop for essential necessities, including food and medical needs. Previously, public was only allowed to travel in one person per household and to obtain the basic necessities within 10 km.
In addition, the government is establishing new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to recover different economic and social systems in Malaysia. The SOPs will be shared in due course.
On 27 April, the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) has released the Guidelines for the Prihatin Screening Programme (Phase 1) for companies granted approval to resume operations during the MCO. The testing is provided free for employees registered with SOCSO and the test will be divided into two phases. The first phase will be performed for the workers in the high-risk zones while the relevant guidelines for the second phase of screening will be announced by SOCSO in due course.

On 28 April, the Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), YB Dato’Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has announced that, for economic sectors, including food companies, that have been allowed to operate during the MCO Phase 1, 2, and 3 can increase operation in MCO phase 4 to full capacity and they are also allowed to operate without any time restrictions in accordance to the terms of the SOPs. The companies are advised to update the existing name list with full list of employees on CIMS 2.0 system on the MITI portal.

The MITI Secretary General has tentatively agreed to have a call with FIA. FIA will be taking this opportunity to appreciate the government’s latest policy on the 100% rule for operation capacity and highlight the need for a robust food security.

Food & Beverage Impact: Monitoring Update – Malaysia (30 APRIL 2020)