KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — The National Security Council (NSC) today granted some leeway for certain industries and recreational activities to areas still under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said quarries and mines are allowed to operate at 60 per cent of their workforce capacity now that the country’s Covid-19 vaccination rate is speeding up.

He also said individual sports like cycling around the neighbourhood is allowed, on condition that cyclists keep a distance of two to three metres from each other.

He said the NSC has also agreed on longer hours for wet markets. From now on, they can open from 6am until 4pm daily while controlled fresh markets are allowed to operate from 7am until 2pm.

Other sectors like logistics, ports and airports are allowed to operate round the clock.

Ismail also said 40 per cent of civil servants will be allowed back to work in government offices, following the advice of Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.

He added that staff in accounting services will be allowed back to work in the office at 60 per cent capacity.

Malaysia went into Phase One of the three-phase NRP on June 1 due to the resurgence of Covid-19 cases, believed caused by the high-contagious Delta variant that has become the dominant strain around.

During the lockdown period, 80 per cent of government staff and 60 per cent of private sector workers were required to work from home.

Only workers in sectors deemed essential services and have permits issued by the International Trade and Industry Ministry were allowed to operate.

Since then, eight states have transitioned to Phase Two.

Perlis, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang were the first to do so on July 5, followed by Penang (July 7), Sabah (July 10) and Sarawak (July 14).

Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, and Labuan remain under Phase One of the NRP.