Health DG's reminder: Whether Raya or Parliament, follow SOP

CORONAVIRUS | Two people meeting can be just as dangerous as a gathering of 20 if guidelines to prevent Covid-19 infections are ignored.

That was the grim warning by Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah when asked for his opinion on government guidelines for gatherings during the upcoming festivals and the Parliament sitting on May 18.

According to the government, people are only allowed to visit each other on the first day of Aidilfitri, Hari Gawai or Keamaatan. Moreover, these gatherings should be limited 20 and for close family members only.

Speaking to reporters today, Noor Hisham repeatedly stressed that the only way to contain the spread of Covid-19 was to follow government guidelines - social distancing, avoid large gatherings and constant washing of hands.

"What is important is the SOP (standard operating procedure), not the number of people. The number may be two or three people, but SOP must still be observed.

"For large families, the number might be 20 people, which is visible. But if one cannot follow SOP, then we urge them not to return to their hometown," he said.

Noor Hisham was asked about the government decision to allow small festive gatherings in view of a recent case in Bahrain where a family contracted Covid-19 after breaking fast together.

He explained that the limit of 20 cited the government was relative and families who intend to gather need to consider the size of the venue as well.

"If an apartment is small, which makes it a confined space, then there would be no social distancing at all.

"What is important is social distancing of at least one metre from each other and make sure you always wash hands, wear face masks if there are those who show symptoms like coughing and flu, for example.

"The most important thing is to avoid a gathering that does not observe the SOP," Noor Hisham stressed.

He said the Health Ministry was also concerned about those living in "red zones" (localities with more than 50 Covid-19 cases) who might return to their hometowns for festivals and infect the elderly and children.

When asked about the May 18 sitting of Parliament, Noor Hisham said regardless of whether a place of work was Parliament or a factory, the same set of rules to prevent the spread of Covid-19 must be applied.

"The SOP is there, but compliance of the SOP is more important," he said. - Mkini