PUTRAJAYA: Nightclubs have finally been given the green light to resume business.

Speaking at a press conference here today, health minister Khairy Jamaluddin said all activities on the National Security Council’s (MKN) negative list will be allowed from May 15.

Nightclubs, which were not allowed to operate since the start of the first movement control order in March 2020 due to physical distancing requirements, are the only remaining premises on the negative list.

“The related agencies are currently discussing the SOPs,” Khairy said.

Last month, Khairy said that after risk assessments, nightclubs will remain on the negative list – even in the transition to the endemic phase – as they were still considered “high-risk”.

At the press conference today, Khairy said premises under the negative list would only be allowed to reopen from May 15 so as to allow more time to decide on the necessary protocols for the safety of patrons.

He added that the health ministry recently met with organisations representing such premises and that there had been a few protocols that were suggested by both parties.

“These protocols will be brought to the MKN to be decided on,” he said when asked on the implementation of Covid-19 protocols for nightclubs.

Two business operators previously told FMT they were concerned prices might go up across the board when nightclubs reopen due to a spike in the cost of materials and difficulties in securing event freelancers – many of whom have left the industry.

Other stakeholders have warned that tourists heading for Southeast Asia will give Malaysia a miss if nightclubs remain closed, adding that the entertainment industry accounted for a significant portion of the country’s tourism revenue.

Source from Free Malaysia Today