KUALA LUMPUR – Like last year, the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration this month will be scaled back, with various restrictions imposed by the government to curb Covid-19.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob told a press conference today that house visits in states and areas under the movement control order (MCO) are allowed only on the first day of Syawal, with a maximum of 15 guests at any one time.
Visits on days one to three of Raya are allowed in states under the conditional MCO (CMCO) and recovery MCO (RMCO).
The number of guests is limited to 20 per house for CMCO areas, while those under the RMCO can host up to 25 people, depending on the size of the house.
Areas under the enhanced MCO (EMCO) are not allowed Raya visits at all.
“However, no open houses are allowed, regardless of the status of the restriction,” said Ismail Sabri.
He encouraged homeowners to provide thermometers, logbooks and QR codes to be scanned using the MySejahtera app, to allow for contact-tracing in case infections are detected.
The rules are almost similar to those imposed for the celebration last year, when visits were allowed only on the first day of Syawal, although the guest list was restricted to immediate family members.
Such visits are also subject to the interstate and inter-district travel ban currently in place.
Ismail Sabri said Raya takbir and prayers can be held in MCO, CMCO and RMCO areas, with the number of congregants allowed in a mosque to be announced by state religious authorities.
He said visits to cemeteries are allowed in CMCO and RMCO areas, for a period not exceeding 30 minutes, and limited to six people per lot.
The National Security Council also announced the imposition of the MCO on six of Selangor’s nine districts from May 6 to 17.
Ismail Sabri said the areas are Hulu Langat, Petaling, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang.
The other three districts – Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam and Hulu Selangor – remain under the CMCO.
The minister said Ramadan bazaars are allowed to operate under the MCO, subject to the state government’s nod, and provided that visitors and traders strictly follow the standard operating procedures.
However, other social activities are prohibited.
Inter-district travel is barred except for emergencies or deaths. – The Vibes, May 4, 2021
