Hindu temples to reopen Fridays, Saturdays on June 10

PETALING JAYA: Hindu temples in green zones will start opening their doors to worshipers on Fridays and Saturdays, starting June 10.

Malaysia Hindu Sangam president Datuk R.S. Mohan Shan said the temples will be open from 6pm to 9pm on those days under strict rules, and marriage ceremonies are still prohibited until further notice as efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 continues.

"These temples are subjected to strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) stipulated by the Unity Ministry.

"After consulting with Temple Management Committees, the Malaysia Hindu Sangam have also prepared detailed SOPs to help temples prepare for reopening," he said, adding the permission to reopen will be revoked if SOPs are not followed.

On May 21, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said non-Muslim houses of worship in green zones will be permitted to reopen on June 10.

The permission to reopen comes with a few conditions, including a congregation size cap at 30 people and a bar stating that those below 12 and above 70 are not allowed to attend.

Additionally, the congregation size is subject to the size of the premises to allow social distancing to be practised.

Houses of worship are only allowed to open during important days, and the permission only applies to Malaysians.

So far, the government has allowed 174 places of worship nationwide to reopen, namely 84 Hindu temples, 15 Chinese temples, 67 churches and eight gurdwaras. - Star