Think of your children, minister tells parents bringing kids to malls

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today reminded parents who bring kids to malls during the conditional movement control order (MCO) to think about the health and safety of their children.

He said the government was relaxing conditions to give people freedom but people should not abuse it.

"There are those who bring children to shopping complexes. Even though there is now more freedom, I hope they will take care of their children's safety.

"The law, for now, does not prevent people from bringing children outside but people will abuse this freedom and endanger their own families," he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Ismail was referring to the updated Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020 which give force to the conditional MCO.

Under the conditional MCO, most businesses are allowed to reopen while recreational activities that do not involve crowds are also allowed.

However, mass gatherings are still not allowed to curb the spread of Covid-19.

He urged parents to be responsible, failing which he said the government will be forced to amend the regulations to enforce specific curbs related to children.

"We need to ask ourselves, will our children be safe in an area with many people and within a confined space like a mall?

"If things like this continue then the government will be forced to include (new rules) in the regulations to prevent parents from bringing children to crowded places," he said. - Mkini