NON-MUSLIM houses of worship in the country have been allowed to reopen under the recovery movement-control order (RMCO), except for those in red zones or under an enhanced MCO, said an interfaith group.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) vice-president R.S. Mohan Shan said places of worship in red zones would be closed and will reopen only when the number of Covid-19 cases drops to a safe level.

Health Ministry data showed three districts – Kota Setar in Kedah and Lahad Datu and Tawau in Sabah – have been classified red for high numbers of Covid-19 infections.

He said places of worship in areas under the EMCO will also be closed.

The Health Ministry classified districts according to green (zero cases), yellow (one to 40 cases) and red (41 and above), based on active infectious cases, not including imported cases.

Mosques as well as educational institutions are also ordered to close during an EMCO.

“At present, under RMCO, all places of worship have reopened but those in the red zones and EMCO areas are not allowed to operate.

“They will only be allowed to reopen when the place turns to yellow or green and for EMCO places, the lockdown has to be lifted,” Mohan told The Malaysian Insight.

All non-Muslim places of worship were allowed to be opened from June 15, but with strict infection-mitigation protocols.

Mohan, who is also Hindu Sanggam president, said some houses of worship are continuing with online prayers or services to limit the number of devotees at temples and churches.

“Some facilities and religious places cannot accommodate huge numbers and it has to be reduced to at least half the maximum capacity.

“In these cases, some houses of worship have either chosen to have online prayer sessions, while others are just continuing what they started earlier,” he said.

The RMCO is in force until December 31.

To date, more than 10,000 have been infected in Malaysia with the death toll standing at 130. – September 23, 2020.