THE Broga Hill recreational area in Semenyih, Selangor, will be closed for two weeks beginning Saturday after authorities found it had violated standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb Covid-19 transmissions, Berita Harian reported today.

The Selangor Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Dosh) made the decision last night, the report said, quoting the Hulu Langat Disaster Management Committee chairman Yusri Zakariah.

He said the department director will issue a directive to close Broga Hill, in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.

“The relevant agencies are also required to provide notice and monitoring of SOP compliance,” he said.

The decision to close the Broga Hill was made two days after pictures showing groups of people violating SOPs at the recreational area went viral on social media over the weekend.

The recreational area does not come under the authority of the municipal council as its entrance is under the control of private landowners and parking lot operators, the Kajang Municipal Council said.

“We did not expect so many hikers to come at the same time and it may be the result of them obtaining permission for climbing activities during the recovery movement control order,” said the council’s public relations officer, Kamarul lzlan Sulaiman.

“After all, the area has been the focus of climbers in the past, so they certainly took the opportunity to come over this weekend.”

The National Security Council is allowing more sports and recreational activities to start today, including hiking, subject to the SOP compliance. – June 25, 2020.