KUALA LUMPUR – Hindus living in areas under the conditional movement control order (CMCO) and recovery movement control order (RMCO) are allowed to pray at temples in their localities during Deepavali on November 14.
Those living in places under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) are not allowed to do so given the Covid-19 risk, said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in his daily briefing today.
“Prayers must be from 7am to noon. I was briefed by the National Unity Ministry that prayers will be done in five sessions. There will be a 30-minute sanitisation after each session, and only 30 individuals are allowed in each session.
“But if the temple is small and cannot accommodate 30 people, fewer devotees will be allowed in. Manisan and laddu will be distributed after the prayers end, and it must be pre-packed,” he said, adding that Hindu leaders nationwide have agreed to the standard operating procedures.
As for Deepavali gatherings in CMCO and RMCO areas, he said, only immediate family members can visit one another, and if possible, to not exceed 20 individuals at any one time in landed properties.
“For those living in strata houses, the number of visitors must not exceed 15. Those living in EMCO areas are not allowed to host visitors. It’s similar to the SOPs for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“Business activities during the festivities can be done only on the premises, but this is applicable only to RMCO and CMCO areas.”
Devotees will have to undergo temperature screenings and register via the MySejahtera app, while senior citizens, children below 12, and those with chronic diseases are not encouraged to attend temple prayers.
Also, those planning to attend are encouraged to wear masks, practise physical distancing of at least 1m and regularly use hand sanitiser.
Meanwhile, he said, the seven localities in Sabah – six in Semporna and one in Kunak – that are under EMCO will end tomorrow as scheduled.
The affected areas are Kg Bangau-Bangau Darat, Kg Bangau-Bangau Hujung, Kg Halo, Kg Ubian, Kg Panji, Kg Air, Kg Selamat, Kg Simunul, Kg Pinggir Bakau and Kg Pengkalan Kunak. – The Vibes, November 5, 2020
