KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has decided that all its parks would be opened to the public during the Movement Control Order 2.0 (MCO 2.0).
Mayor Datuk Mahadi Che Ngah said certain areas in the parks such as playgrounds would be out of bounds to prevent people from grouping together or gathering in large numbers.
He said the main parks outside the residential areas such as the Lake Gardens and Kepong Metropolitan Park would require check-in via MySejahtera application and temperature checks.
"This includes the overall standard operating procedure compliance," he told the New Sunday Times.
Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa had said all public parks under DBKL were allowed to open with controls and supervision.
The NST had earlier asked him whether this meant that the parks would open only if there was enough manpower to carry out controls and supervision under the SOP.
Checks at parks in the federal capital here showed some recreationists complying with the new MCO 2.0 rules.
At the Perdana Botanical Gardens, located behind the National Museum, people were seen walking in pairs and on narrower roads, this ate into the 2m physical distancing rule. Four people from different households were also seen walking together.
While at first it appeared that there were insufficient personnel on standby to ensure that the SOP was followed, the guards at the Perdana Botanical Gardens and the Titiwangsa Lake Gardens were vigilant.
Meanwhile, groups of cyclists and hikers were seen in the open park surrounding the foot of Taman Tugu.
Ali Shah, 35, who was at the spot, agreed that parks could only be opened during the pandemic with strict supervision and controls involving the SOP.
"This place used to hold a pasar malam before the recent Conditional Movement Control Order. I felt the rules were too harsh until I was a close contact in December due to a dinner gathering and possibly cycling.
"It's a hassle for us and everyone we come in contact with."
On Friday, Annuar announced his decision to allow the parks to be opened conditionally, with the SOP to be strictly adhered to.
No group activities such as aerobics, Tai Chi, picnics and camping were allowed in the public space. Annuar also said business activities that did not follow the SOP or were in close contact with nature would be disallowed.
The National Security Council (NSC) in imposing the MCO had allowed for recreational activities such as jogging and cycling.
DBKL, in a response on its Facebook page, said the parks were open, but stressed that only individuals exercising on their own were allowed to enter.
It said if there was no reason for the people to use the park, it would be better for them to remain at home. The post also said that all facilities would be closed, save for toilets.
Earlier, Pakatan Harapan lawmakers had urged City Hall to reconsider its decision to close all public parks and playgrounds due to the MCO.
They said the ruling was not in line with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's speech on Monday in which he noted that long periods of isolation can take a toll on one's mental health.
In a statement, they said public parks were the most suitable, controlled and safe location to carry out leisure activities in accordance with the SOP dictated by the NSC.