GEORGE TOWN: Married couples living in different states are looking forward to interstate travel to be allowed for the fully vaccinated so they can finally be reunited.
Content creator Hafiz Zulkeflli, 36, and his wife Nor Fazilah Ramli, 34, are both fully vaccinated, and are very much anticipating the next opportunity for a reunion.
Hafiz is based in Penang, while his wife is a customer service administrator in Kuala Lumpur.
“We married on Feb 15 this year, and were forced into a long distance relationship due to work.
“I have not seen my wife for months, and I miss her a lot.
“I can’t wait for interstate travel to be allowed again so I can spend some quality time with her,” he said.Quality assurance executive Cheong Sin Loo, 26, and her husband married on Feb 2 last year, before the first movement control order was implemented on March 18.
“I work in Ipoh and my husband is a musician in Kuala Lumpur.
Cheong with her husband.
“It has been more than half a year since we last saw each other.
“My husband was fully vaccinated on July 21. I have not received my shots yet although I am registered to be vaccinated.
“We communicate every day, and do video calls on weekends. I hope the government can relax travel restrictions for fully vaccinated couples,” she said.
Local food vendor Edmund Saw, 39, who was fully vaccinated on June 24 as a volunteer reserve policeman, said interstate travel should be allowed for people who have received both doses.
“My stall is in Chowrasta Market.
“Business has dropped by 70%. Once more people are vaccinated and can travel interstate, I’ll feel safe serving customers,” he added.
Malaysia Retail Chain Association president Shirley Tay said the standard operating procedure (SOP) should be relaxed for those who have been vaccinated, and this should apply to all sectors.
“Dining in should be allowed if the staff and customers are vaccinated, with SOP in place.
“Business establishments cannot survive with prolonged restrictions.
“The pandemic has affected the economy badly. It will take a long time for affected businesses to recoup.
“Many are not even able to recover losses,” she said.
On July 21, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government had received various suggestions on the relaxation of restrictions, including allowing couples living apart to travel interstate after they are fully vaccinated.
“There are suggestions to allow businesses or industries that have never had clusters to operate, or to give permission to fully vaccinated customers to dine in at restaurants.
“We are still studying them,” he added.
As at Friday, 16,487,158 doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in Malaysia.
