Indoor sports operators who resume business during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) may receive a “friendly” visit from state Youth and Sports Department officers.
It is learnt several indoor sporting hubs, including badminton centres, have started operating by practising their own physical distancing of allowing enthusiasts to book alternate courts. Some gym owners, meanwhile, have been informing their members they will be opening their doors soon after claiming to have obtained approval from the Ministry of Industry and International Trade (MITI).
The National Security Council’s directive prohibits swimming, gyms and activities such as contact sports during the CMCO.
“We have been informed several indoor sporting venues may have started operating or plan to operate. These include badminton halls and gyms,” said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.
“The directive from the NSC is very clear and it states that all indoors sports are prohibited.”
He added the ministry, through the state Youth and Sports Department, will proactively monitor the situation and advise those who continue to operate.
“While we feel for the business owners and empathise with their need to revive their businesses, we need to strictly adhere to all directives from the NSC in our battle against Covid-19,” he added.
Owners of such facilities, however, are hoping for some form of relaxation from the government as they have been hard hit by the closure. Those who have been hit harder are the private coaches and personal trainers who earn from every session they conduct.
Reezal had on May 6 told Twentytwo13 that while some of these business owners and even private trainers may have obtained relief through the government’s stimulus packages, his ministry would reach out to other ministries and agencies to see how else these groups can be assisted.
