THE Health Ministry will allow places of worship to increase their congregation size if they are satisfied that they are following all health guidelines.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the government was allowing the places of worship to open in stages.

“We will start on a small scale and as we go on, we will increase the numbers.

“We will continue to monitor the implementation of the SOPs. If we are happy with the implementation, then we can increase (numbers) over time.

“For now, only 30 people are allowed (at one time),” he told the ministry’s daily press conference in Putrajaya today.

Earlier, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said Putrajaya is allowing 174 non-Muslim places of worship in green zones to open on June 10, but under strict SOPs.

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.

On foreigners not being allowed to attend places of worship, Noor Hisham said priority is being given to Malaysians.  

“For example, it is not about the foreign workers in terms of their occupation, but we believe that because they stay in close quarters. 

“So, the issue is close, confined spaces. That’s why we are allowing Malaysians first to start going to places of worship. Priority is being given to them.

“Then, subsequently, we can (allow others) once we are sure that they can comply with the SOPs.”

Noor Hisham said the authorities will be closely monitoring adherence to the SOPs.

“The people must comply and adhere to the SOP. Then only can we break the chain of infection.” – May 21, 2020.