Livin' La Vida Lockdown Day 81...yes 81:

We have lived through a MCO then a CMCO now we are at a new stage in Malaysia - an RMCO. In place as of June 10 it will last until August 31. ( I have said it once and I will say it again 2020 is a complete write off).

Now going on past experience what the national government says isn't always how Penang rolls - so we will wait and see what happens this week. A new day is usually a new rule that bears no resemblance to national or local policy - I call it condo law.

So what is changing:

- Domestic tourism will open - which means we can all now leave Gilligan's Island (Penang) finally without having to go to the police station for a clearance. I am looking forward to crossing the bridge. It's the little things.

- We can now all get a haircut and a mani-pedi but not a massage or go to a spa.

- We still don't know if we can try on clothes before buying them yet.

- Schools will start staggered opening as will some daycare centres.

- We can go to the gym to work off 3 months worth of mie goreng and nasi lemak but not swim in a swimming pool. This has not been very popular so let’s see what all the resorts and hotels have to say.

- No contact sports. Hiking, jogging blah blah but no groups. But we can go bowling (so sanitised) or play that death sport - badminton.

- Pasar pagi and pasar malam are opening up again. Market stall holders are getting tested and have to wear masks or PPE. Distancing is standard.

- No karaoke, pubs, nightclubs, theme parks etc - basically just write a list of all the fun stuff - no you cant do that either. But you will be able to worship and visit a museum.

- All the same rules apply that we have had since March - strict social distancing, masks, temp checks and showing ID at all points of entry. Signing in with name and phone number is standard. There is also still widespread testing happening. If they see things spiking they just lock down the area.

- If you are a returning Malaysian citizen you can quarantine at home now and not in a center. Out of 400 plus centres only 72 were hotels and 45 I think are 4-5 star. You don't get a say where you stay and you pay for the privilege. So home is better for some.

- We can go interstate ie to the international airport in KL and even change terminals without applying for a police permit now. This is BIG news. BIG.

- All of us who have overstayed our visas are still waiting on what our fate will be. No one knows if we will have to leave on non-existent flights within 14 days or we will get a blanket clearance until end of August. Considering it is virtually impossible to get an appointment at any immigration office for months - I have my fingers crossed. Don't really want to be blacklisted, fined and arrested then deported if I can help it.

- In case you couldn't work it out - Malaysia will remain closed to all international visitors until August 31. Borders will remain shut - and if you are a citizen - international travel is not permitted.

(Pours a glass of wine - books a mani pedi and a ticket to Langkawi)

Peace

#livinlavidalockdown #wearamask #penang #bekind #2020cangetinthebin #dudukrumah #malaysia #rmco #groundhogday #justwantaswimffs