CORONAVIRUS | Defence Ministry Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government has agreed in principle to allow big mosques to reopen to the public as long as they can maintain social distancing within the mosque.
However, this is subject to the states’ rulers and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who are in charge of Islamic affairs in the states and the country respectively, he said.
“The religious affairs minister tabled in the meeting today about loosening restrictions for congregational and Friday prayers.
“It used to be limited to 30 people but just now we agreed in principle that it should be based on the size of the mosque.
“As long as there is social distancing in the mosque, we will not stop the mosques from opening to the public for prayers, if the mosque is big,” Ismail Sabri said in his daily press conference today.
He said they discussed the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for mosques in the Federal Territories in the meeting today, but stressed that it has not been approved as it requires the Agong's consent.
On the matter of interstate travel for single people, he declined to make any announcements on that yet.
He said this is because Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will announce "something" tomorrow, and he does not want to preempt the prime minister.
"I am worried I will announce something different, or I will preempt the prime minister's announcement, so I cannot.
"Tomorrow the prime minister will announce something," he said.
Ismail Sabri also said they have had requests from the Youth and Sports Ministry on reopening sectors related to youths and sports as well as from the National Unity Ministry about Rukun Tetangga.
While these issues were discussed in the meeting today, he said he will only announce their decisions either tomorrow or on Monday.
When asked whether tuition centres would be allowed to reopen, he said he would leave it to the Education Ministry to make an announcement on this matter soon. - Mkini
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