Don't just depend on SOP, think of own safety - Ismail

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has advised the public to think of their own safety rather than waiting on the government to introduce certain rules.

He said this is because once the conditional movement control order (MCO) is lifted, the existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) pertaining to Covid-19 will not be in effect anymore.

"If the Covid-19 outbreak is prolonged for two years, it's unlikely that the MCO will be retained for that duration.

"When the MCO ends, the rules or SOPs cannot be imposed on the public anymore. There will be no more fines.

"Therefore, it is self-control that will protect us," he said.

Ismail was responding to a question on whether there would be SOPs for parents who bring their young children to shopping malls, and SOPs for the public to visit the cemetery during Hari Raya.

Hence, he said the government will stick to giving advice.

On SOPs in general, he said the Health Ministry through the Health director-general has the prerogative to change the SOPs which the National Security Council (NSC) has announced.

"For instance, we allow the public to visit the cemetery. But it can be disallowed if the Health Ministry says so," he said.

Meanwhile, on the SOPs for houses of worship, Ismail said that the national unity minister will seek more discussions with representatives of various religious bodies before bringing the matter up for discussion with the NSC.

"The minister had made the presentation to us, but she had informed us that she would meet the religious leaders to scrutinise certain details before meeting us again," he said. - Mkini