KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 21): The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has proposed for three more destinations to be opened via the domestic tourism bubble.

Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the destinations are Genting Highlands, Pulau Tioman, and Melaka, and the proposal was approved in the Covid-19 Ministerial Quartet meeting today.

She said in a media conference after Covid 19 Ministry Quartet today at the Parliament building: “Today, we approved three more destinations (Genting Highlands, Pulau Tioman, and Melaka), and they will be brought to the special meeting [of the Special Committee on Tackling Covid-19] tomorrow,”

The second meeting was chaired by Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and was attended by Nancy as well as Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

Nancy said the travel standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the three destinations would be studied, especially the entry SOPs into Melaka, which has a wide area of coverage, while industry players in the three destinations were told to be ready to receive visitors.

On the development of the Pulau Langkawi pilot project from Sept 16 to 19, she said 6,662 tourists entered the island by air, with 3,483 more via ferry.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Faizal said that in the meeting, his ministry proposed the reopening of stadiums to spectators for tournaments such as football and other suitable sports.

“It is also to celebrate the Malaysia Cup, which will be starting soon, and all SOPs would be studied and have to be complied with, in line with the concept of reopening safety,” he said.

Last Friday, gymnasiums and bowling alleys were allowed to open under Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) with stringent SOPs.

They included guidelines on ventilation as most gymnasiums are indoor, which could raise the risk of Covid-19 infection.  

In this regard, Hishammuddin said the latest sports sector relaxation took into consideration the well-being of the people from the mental aspect and the needs of gymnasium operators.