HINDUS celebrating Deepavali are allowed to attend temple prayers on that day and host a limited number of guests for the celebrations, but must adhere to the strict standard operating procedure (SOP) in place, said Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He however said that this was only allowed for states and districts under the recovery movement-control order (RMCO) and conditional movement-control order (CMCO).

“Those under the enhanced movement-control order (EMCO) areas will not be allowed to do such,” Ismail Sabri said in his daily briefing on Covid-19 movement restrictions today.

“There will be strict SOP for those in the RMCO and CMCO regions,” he added.

Deepavali falls on November 14.

He said that devotees can attend prayers at temples on the first day of Deepavali, but strict SOP will have to be followed.

He added that not more than 30 devotees will be allowed in the temple at any one time.

Temples will be open from 7am to noon, with the premises to be sanitised every half hour between prayer sessions.

Temples must have counters to check temperature and Covid-19 symptoms.

Devotees meanwhile have to register through the MySejahtera app or record their details before entering the temples.

Those with chronic illnesses, senior citizens and those under the age of 12 are not encouraged to attend the prayers.

As for home celebrations, Ismail Sabri said there will be limits to the number of visitors allowed at the homes.

Those living in condominiums smaller than 1,500 sq ft can host up to 10 people while those in properties larger than 1,500 sq ft can host up to 15 people.

Celebrations at landed properties are limited to no more than 20 people at a time.

Individuals must adhere to all health and hygiene SOP, including wearing face masks and practising physical distancing.

The defence minister also said inter-district and inter-state travel is not allowed for Deepavali.

Ismail said the Deepavali SOP was agreed upon by National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique and Hindu religious leaders. – November 5, 2020.