KUALA LUMPUR: The government has allowed wedding receptions, "korban" during Hari Raya Aidiladha and other social events beginning July 1 with strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the green light to organise these events was decided in a special National Security Council (NSC) meeting.
He said the other social events that will be allowed include engagements, "aqiqah" and "doa selamat" ceremonies, birthday and anniversary celebrations and reunions.
"There will be a time limit of between three to five hours and the capacity must not exceed 250 people at one time; and it also depends on the size of the venue, while taking social distancing into consideration.
"For example, a venue may only accommodate 150 guests due to social distancing. The entry and exit points must be separate to deter overcrowding, too.
"In terms of food, guests must be served by waiters, even if it is buffet style. Guests must not take food at the buffet line. The best that we recommend is that they (guests) be served," said Ismail Sabri in a live telecast of his press conference today.
The Senior Defence Minister said among SOPs that must be in place are health screenings at the entrance to the event. He said people must be tasked to take the body temperatures of guests and check them for possible symptoms.
It was also compulsory to record the number of guests, and each of them must be registered via the MySejahtera application.
He said guests with a body temperature of over 37.5 degrees celsius and those who have symptoms must be stopped from entering the venue.
Both the organiser and guests are encouraged to wear face masks, he said.
Ismail Sabri advised organisers to refrain from holding or proceeding with an event if they are unable to control the crowd or if there is overcrowding.
"The police are still on the ground monitoring the compliance of the SOPs by the rakyat. So, if an organiser feels that they are unable to fulfill it, then don't let the event go on."
He said the latest National Security Council meeting also decided to allow the "korban" obligation to be carried out at mosques, surau and other areas consented by the Federal Territories religious authorities to mark the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration at the end of next month.
He said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has prepared SOPs that can be used as a reference by religious authorities at the respective states should they decide to allow "korban" acvitivities.