Enterprise Explores

Non-essential industries are on tenterhooks as the National Security Council discusses a possible lockdown extension. Many are calling for permission to operate - at the very least for maintenance if not actively operational purposes - as they were allowed to do so during previous movement control orders . Image Credit: amirraizat | Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we hit bigger vaccination targets every week, Malaysians are hopeful that travel will be a possibility soon. The MySejahtera app and its vaccination certificate could be a key component in determining who is allowed to cross borders , as well as run their business at full capacity while still maintaining SOPs. Image Credit: Tom Fisk | Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that ‘Working From Home’ has become the norm, companies need to continue adapting and promoting agility in the workforce in order to thrive. According to the Malaysia Productivity Corporation, the ability to implement a hybrid work model will create a healthier, happier workforce moving forward. Image Credit: mentatdgt | Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Employers Federation released a statement urging the government to end the Full Movement Control Order (FMCO) , with the argument that businesses have been damaged severely by the compounded lockdown restrictions. Image Credit: Nor Sham Soyod | Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study by TripAdvisor noted an uptick in travel trends and vacation plans in countries that have had a robust vaccination rollout. This is indicative that the tourism industry could bounce back, as expected, in a huge way as more countries begin to open their borders to fully vaccinated travellers. Image Credit: geraldfriedrich2 | Pixabay See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business groups, especially ones representing SMEs, respond to the National Recovery Plan and whether or not they think it is effective enough to help the economy. Image Credit: Mingcanfly | Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While essential industries are allowed to operate, “non-essential” industries in the same supply chain that feed into them or from them are asking for the same leeway. Image Credit: Kateryna Babaieva | Pexels See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many businesses have found difficulties operating over the course of the pandemic, as their workforces are primarily composed of foreign workers. Business owners are calling for both local workers to fill the gaps and the government to extend their labour recalibration programme to foreign workers as well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The gym and fitness industry has estimated revenue losses of more than RM110 million since the first Movement Control Order (MCO 1.0) in March last year, according to the Malaysian Fitness Coalition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the number of administered vaccine doses increasing every week, the country aims to inoculate at least 10% of the population by mid-July . According to Khairy Jamaluddin, this means that 3.2 million people would have completed both doses of any given vaccine by that time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is looking into easing restrictions for individuals who have completed their Covid-19 vaccination including allowing them to travel interstate, says National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airports, ports, and Prasarana depots will be converted into industrial vaccination centres for transportation frontliners. The list of eligible transportation frontliners include but is not limited to sailors, pilots, flight attendants, and e-hailing drivers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Randstad recently released its annual Employer Brand Research in Malaysia . Independently conducted by Kantar TNS, the report explores the top EVP factors that influence employees and job seekers in their search for a new career. While some findings aren’t surprising, others are indicative of the changing nature of work in a pandemic-driven environment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Instead of nose swabs and test tubes, there may be a faster way to determine Covid-19 infections. In a study conducted in the UK, dogs were able to detect Covid-19 on clothing worn by infected people with up to 94.3% sensitivity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian government is looking into heterologous vaccinations, which are a mixture of two different types of vaccines, as a possible option as part of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent study has found that employees in Singapore are the unhappiest in the world . Based on a few key indicators, the survey found that many of our neighboring country’s workers wouldn’t recommend Singapore as an ideal place to maintain a fulfilling career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysia Semiconductor Industry is urging the government to approve more on-site vaccination centres ; at the same time, there is concern about the low registrations for vaccinations on the MySejahtera app for people with disabilities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economists weighed in on the National Recovery Plan and how it may actually be an effective guideline for Malaysians to plan ahead for the foreseeable future; however, before that can happen, it needs to be better defined and clarified. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PE fund Creador recently took up a 30% stake in Loob Holdings, the parent company of popular local boba tea brand, Tealive . This partnership is no doubt a big one and could have serious implications for both entities depending on their strategy moving forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association is asking the government to allow restaurants to open from 6AM to 10PM, and allow a two-people-per-table dine-in limit . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For almost a year, many aspiring daters were unable to socialise face-to-face. As the restrictions became more flexible, many were eager to find someone to share the pandemic – or at least have a short few hours – with . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Putrajaya has announced a four-phase National Recovery Plan as a roadmap to overcoming COVID-19 and the pandemic . According to data, we may only be able to return to relative normalcy at the end of 2021, if infectivity rates continue to drop and herd immunity is achieved. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the extended FMCO, players in the F&B scene are having to pivot more than ever just to survive on a day-to-day basis . Some have adopted different ways of selling their products, while others have created new revenue streams to stay afloat until restrictions ease up. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A regional human resource consultant reveals that an ugly side is unfolding with growing discontent and rumblings about working from home (WFH) where the fine lines of virtual abuse and work-life balance are being compromised. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever felt like your job may be harming your mental health, here’s what you should do . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.