THE National Security Council (NSC) should re-examine the flexibility given to Ramadan bazaars to open, following the detection of 17 positive Covid-19 cases involving the South African variant B.1.351, said Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin.

According to Khairy, the co-ordinating minister for the national Covid-19 immunisation programme, the variant is more deadly than other strains and shows signs of resistance to vaccines.

“The NSC needs to reconsider whether to continue the flexibility given. We can’t blame the people because many people really want to go to the Ramadan bazaars, but, it is quite difficult for social distancing,” he said during a visit to the vaccination centre at Seremban City Council today.

Khairy said despite the third wave of the pandemic easing, case numbers have increased again over the past few days.

“There will still be those in close proximity to others no matter how we enforce this.

“The NSC needs to seriously look at whether Ramadan bazaars should continue,” he said.

Separately, Health Minister Dr Adham Baba was also reported by Bernama saying that Ramadan bazaars should close if they spawn Covid-19 clusters.

He said the ministry has received complaints about violations of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) at several Ramadan bazaars  nationwide.

He said the government viewed this seriously and will not rule out the possibility of closing down Ramadan bazaar if new clusters emerge.

“The Health Ministry will investigate using records on the MySejahtera app to determine the source of infections.

“We will be able to find the source and if bazaar organisers are found responsible, we will not hesitate to fine them,” he was quoted saying by Bernama. – April 15, 2021.