PUTRAJAYA has allowed 174 places of worship for non-Muslims in green zones to open on June 10, but under strict standard operation procedures (SOPs), said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Green zones are areas without any Covid-19 infections.

Ismail Sabri said the decision was made after consultation with National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique and religious leaders of all faiths.

“They have to strictly follow all the SOPs.

“These places of worship will not be allowed to open daily but only on important days in the week, one or two days, depending on their religion.

“For example, for Christians it is on Sunday. They can open only on that day.

“If there are violations, then this relaxation of the rules will be retracted,” he said at the ministry’s daily press conference in Putrajaya today.

He said the 174 places of worship nationwide that are allowed to open their doors next month comprise 84 Hindu temples, 15 Chinese temples, 67 churches and eight gurdwaras.

Only Malaysians are allowed in, and the congregation is limited to 30 people, he said.

“The limit of 30 people is also subject to the size of the place of worship.

“If the premises are small and cannot accommodate 30 people (safely), there must be fewer people.”

Ismail Sabri said devotees above 70 years old and children below 12 are not allowed to attend.

“There must be temperature checks, hand sanitiser provided, and those attending must wear masks.”

He added that weddings are still not allowed to be held at any place of worship.

Today’s decision comes a week after Putrajaya announced that mosques and some surau in the Federal Territories are allowed to conduct Friday prayers.

The prayers can be held if there are at least three people, excluding the imam, and the congregation is limited to 30, with strict SOPs in place.

The Malacca, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak governments followed suit. – May 21, 2020.