Major cinema operator GSC announced today that it will reopen some of its outlets in several parts of Malaysia next week, as authorities begin to relax lockdown restrictions in places including Malacca, Penang and Putrajaya.
Among the nine branches it will reopen include its outlet at Penang’s Gurney Plaza and the Alamanda mall in Putrajaya. In East Malaysia, the cinema chain will reopen at Sarawak’s Cityone Megamall.
“We will be reopening 9 locations starting 16 December 2020, 6PM,” GSC Cinemas wrote on Facebook today. GSC ran 36 cinemas across Malaysia.
Lockdown restrictions in most parts of Selangor, parts of Johor, as well as, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, and Perak began to ease today, which means that family entertainment outlets, like cinemas, can operate again, subject to safe distancing conditions. Kuala Lumpur and Sabah remain under Conditional Movement Control Order, which has been extended to Dec. 20.
The government also lifted the ban on inter-state and inter-district travel, except for areas under enhanced lockdown, where infection rates are high. With the ban lifted, Malaysians would no longer require police permission to travel across states or districts.
“Life must go on,” Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said at his press conference on Saturday. “As per our discussion with the Ministry of Health, interstate and inter-district movement will be allowed in the whole country except in EMCO (enhanced movement control order) areas beginning Dec. 7.”
Malaysia has recorded 72,694 total COVID-19 cases since the outbreak began in February, with 1,335 new infections yesterday. The death toll stands at 382.
Other stories to check out:
Malaysia’s K-pop fans drown out online movement supporting accused evangelist with idol fancams
