A Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) will be enforced from 14 October to 27 October in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya.
Tightened movement restrictions have been put in place in Kuala
Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya amid a third wave of Covid-19. This is in
addition to restrictions in Sabah after the recent state election
contributed to a spike in cases.
The Malaysian government announced on Monday (12 Oct) that a
Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) will be enforced in the above four states and territories from 14
October until 27 October, this includes a ban on all MICE events and
social gatherings.
The CMCO is setback for Malaysia's MICE industry, which reopened
in July, and follows concerns that a number of politicians (regularly
spotted at events as VIP guests or ribbon-cutters) reportedly tested
positive for the virus, including a minister in the Malaysian cabinet.
The Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, in his televised address to the
nation on 6 October said he, seven other ministers and six deputies
together with the Health Ministry’s director‐general (who has been
coordinating the country’s pandemic management) were on home‐quarantine
as they had all attended a meeting with the minister who tested
positive.
Dee Dee Quah (left) says VIPs under quarantine can officiate virtually, while Francis Teo notes the adaptability of the MICE industry.An industry event scheduled for 8 October, which was supposed to be
have been officiated by the Tourism Minister (she is not under
quarantine) was postponed citing precautionary measures to ensure the
health and safety for attendees.
A Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) spokesperson
said that since the steep spike of Covid‐19 cases, there has been a
total of 70 postponed and 20 cancelled events, and assured M&C Asia that events still scheduled to go ahead outside the CMCO areas will have even tighter precautionary measures in place.
“From March to September 2020, MyCEB successfully secured a total
number of 12 business events that ranges from the year 2021‐2024 with an
estimation of 35,000 delegates and RM177 million (US$43 million)
economic impact,” they added.
Medical Conference Partners director, Dee Dee Quah, noted that while
some might have their confidence shaken, MICE events outside the CMCO areas are still
going ahead.
She added that they do see some requests coming in to postpone hybrid
events or convert to full virtual and some delegates opting to attend
online if it is a hybrid event.
She didn’t see any issues with politicians having tested positive affecting any events being held.
“The most logical option is to either offer the VIP the option of
joining the opening ceremony virtually or the VIP will nominate someone
who is not Covid‐19 positive or at high risk to represent them
physically at the event.”
In a similar vein, Setia City Convention Centre head Francis Teo said
that the industry is highly adaptable and would be able to adjust to
any circumstances.