KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 (Sin Chew Daily) — Chinese physicians under the traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) division of the Ministry of Health are allowed to provide face-to-face consultation and acupuncture services by complying with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) from now on.

Chinese physicians are allowed to resume their services now classified as an essential service.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong announced on his Facebook that after having virtual dialogues with several organizations representing Chinese physicians, he submitted proposals to the National Security Council and the Ministry of Health.

He said although the National Security Council allowed TCM practitioners to resume their services, they were required to abide by the strict SOPs.

The practitioners are required to put on face masks, hand gloves and personal protective outfit and maintain social distancing during consultation.

Wee said Chinese medicine had been successful employed in curbing the COVID-19 outbreak in China.

TCM practitioners have not been allowed to operate during the lockdown since June 1 and some patients have appealed to the Ministry of Health for the resumption of TCM services.

In early July, the National Security Council released SOPs for TCM to provide online consultation or remote consultation during the first phase of National Recovery Plan (NRP).

TCM practitioners are allowed to deliver herbs and medications to patients.

TCM practitioners are only allowed to provide face-to-face consultation but limited to one hour per session under phase two of the NRP, while acupuncture will only be allowed in phase three.