Health Ministry reminds all to follow Hari Raya SOPs

 

The Health Ministry has pleaded with the public to abide by Hari Raya Aidilfitri standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure the Covid-19 pandemic does not worsen.

Malaysia reported a record 39 deaths from Covid-19 today. Daily new cases are also at a three-month high of 4,765.

The SOPs for Hari Raya, which begins tomorrow, are as follows:

• Hari Raya Takbir: Only committee members are allowed to be in a mosque or surau.

• Aidilfitri Sunnah prayers: Allowed in mosques or suraus.

• Mosques with a capacity for more than 1,000 people are limited to 50 people.

• Mosques with a capacity for less than 1,000 people are limited to 20 people.

• Mosques or suraus on the government’s Hide list must take public health measures or close if instructed by a district health officer.

Interdistrict travel, interstate travel, open houses, banquets, post-Aidilfitri Sunnah prayer banquets, house visitations or cemetery visits are not allowed.

All prison visitations have also been cancelled but families can book a 15-minute video conference slot through the Prisons Department.

In a statement this evening, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah reminded celebrants to refrain from attending gatherings to prevent infection spread.

“The rakyat are advised to avoid attending any large-scale gatherings including Hari Raya mass prayers that are beyond the limit.

“And postpone visitations including cemetery visits,” he said.

The top official stressed that house visits may worsen the Covid-19 situation, especially since the virus was already spreading in the community.

Some 435 community-based Covid-19 clusters have been recorded within the first five months of the year.

“These community clusters stem from infections that spread to family and close contacts (during) celebrations, burials, weddings and other social activities,” he said.

Many hospitals, especially in the Klang Valley, are also running out of Covid-19 beds and Covid-19 ICU beds.

Sporadic cases now make up 80 percent of all cases while cases linked to more infectious variants of Covid-19 are also on the rise.

Sporadic cases refer to cases where the source of infection is not yet known. - Mkini