Guidelines soon for mosques

Adhering to protocol: A man sanitising his hands before entering the mosque.

PUTRAJAYA: Guidelines on Friday and congregational prayers in mosques in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic will be discussed by the Cabinet first before any announcement is made, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“The matter also needs to be referred to the National Security Council which is chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“This is a big decision and it involves religion. So, wait for the Cabinet to make the decision.

“Insyallah (God willing), the announcement (on the guidelines) will be made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, ” he said at his daily briefing here yesterday.

Ismail said this when asked about the outcome of the special meeting of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Consultative Committee regarding the matter on Friday.

On schools, he said although they were still closed, some teachers might be required to come to work.

“There may be a need for teachers to prepare matters related to teaching, ” he said.

In the Education Ministry’s FAQ released earlier, it was stated that the date for the schools to reopen would be announced at least two weeks before classes resume.

On protocols in nurseries and social distancing challenges in such settings, Ismail said the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry would issue the standard operating procedure based on the Health Ministry’s advice.

He said so far, a poultry processing factory in Negri Sembilan, a supermarket, and a construction site in Ampang had been ordered closed after Covid-19 cases were detected at the places.

A worker in the poultry-processing factory tested positive for Covid-19. It is learnt that the case is linked to the Pedas cluster.

“The supermarket was ordered closed after a security guard tested positive for Covid-19, ” said Ismail.

The construction site in Ampang was also ordered closed after a worker tested positive.

“If a worker tests positive and the Health Ministry feels it is necessary to close operations, then the government will order the premises closed.

“We closed the supermarket and poultry factory in order to carry out screening and disinfection, ” he said.

On another matter, he said hotel operators had the right to initiate action against guests who vandalised hotel property after they were quarantined at hotels designated as quarantine centres.

“If those undergoing quarantine broke hotel regulations, it is up to the hotel management (to take action), ” he said.

Earlier, Ismail announced that the Covid-19 Fund had attracted contributions amounting to about RM40mil.

He said RM100 per day would be paid to eligible Covid-19 patients and contacts during the quarantine period. - Star