Mind the SOPs, Selangor tourism group warns after weekend crowds

A tourism and travel association in Selangor today urged the public to be mindful of health SOPs in the wake of footage showing holiday destinations in the state packed with visitors as social restrictions are gradually eased.

The Association of Selangor Travel and Tourism Agencies said tour operators should take a serious view of SOP compliance given the crowds that had gathered over the past weekend.

“We don’t want to spark a new cluster through our own complacency,” the group’s president Fathir Badri said.

“We were locked down for a long time due to the movement control order and we don’t want this to happen again,” he said, adding that the tour operators would also suffer losses if this were to occur.

He also reminded visitors to exercise caution and to avoid crowded spots.

“Look for places that aren’t crowded,” he said. “In Selangor, there are many eco-tourism spots like those in Hulu Langat and Hulu Selangor.”

Fathir likewise urged local authorities and the Selangor tourism board to play their part by putting up signs and billboards reminding tourists of the need to follow SOPs in each location.

“We haven’t won yet,” he said. “We should guard this opportunity by taking care of ourselves and our families.

“Avoid crowded areas and observe physical distancing.”