Visits permitted on first day of Raya only - Ismail
CORONAVIRUS | Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today said visits during Hari Raya, Hari Gawai and Hari Kaamatan will only be permitted on the first day of the celebrations.
He added that visits, too, would be limited to just family members and are to be capped at a maximum of 20 people for the entire day.
CORONAVIRUS | Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today said visits during Hari Raya, Hari Gawai and Hari Kaamatan will only be permitted on the first day of the celebrations.
He added that visits, too, would be limited to just family members and are to be capped at a maximum of 20 people for the entire day.
This differs from the initial statement by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin who said on Sunday that Hari Raya visits within the same state will be allowed with a maximum of 20 people in attendance at any one time.
In his press conference today, Ismail added that the size of the premises must be taken into consideration when determining the number of people in attendance.
As an example, he said a smaller house may only permit five guests at a time, with the maximum number of guests not surpassing 20 for the duration of the day.
This was to ensure the standard operating procedure (SOP) on social distancing is practised.
“We do not wish to see the situation in Bahrain, in which 16 people from the same family were infected with Covid-19 after attending a family iftar (breaking of fast) ceremony.
“The same thing occurred in New Jersey, (the United States of) America where four family members died after attending a family event,” said Ismail.
Meanwhile, the minister said more enforcement officers will be dispatched to shopping centres to ensure social distancing and other measures were being adhered to.
He further advised shoppers to be diligent in practising social distancing when asked on the issue of crowds taking advantage of the current Raya sales.
Failure to do so, he warned, could result in the stores being instructed to close.
“Traders, too, must remember they are permitted to open on specific conditions (such as) preparing hand sanitisers and wearing face masks and others.
“We (government) issued SOPs to limit the number of shoppers allowed in a business premise as we want social distancing even in stores and not just when lining up to enter.
“I believe the task force will monitor this and we will send more (officers) to such places, especially shopping premises with sales,” he said.
Malaysians are also advised to avoid bringing along high-risk family members, including young children and senior citizens, with them when buying essential goods to avoid Covid-19 infection.
Under the conditional movement control order (MCO), which came into effect on May 4, the government permitted business premises to resume operations under strict conditions, after almost two months of the MCO.
However, any activities or businesses involving a large gathering of people, close bodily contact and inability to maintain social distancing are not permitted.
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