‘SOP for visiting graves: Govt waits for approval from MOH, MKN’

PUTRAJAYA: The standard operating procedure ( SOP) for visiting graves during Hari Raya Aidilfitri will only be released if the Health Ministry (MOH) and the National Security Council (MKN) feel there is a need for it, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said for now, the MOH was only advising the public not to visit the graves as is usually done every Hari Raya in a move to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the community.

“I do not know if the SOP will be issued or not because it was not discussed in the meeting just now, but as we have said, the MKN and the MOH can always discuss.

“If they will come up with the SOP, they will inform us, but so far, it is only advice,” he said at the daily press conference on the development of the Movement Control Order (MCO) here yesterday.

Ismail said the government will also seek advice from the MOH and MKN before releasing the SOP or allowing any activity to be conducted during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period, including allowing hair salons to be opened.

“I have also received appeals from many hair salon operators and associations to be given permission (to resume operations). As of now, (the government) has not discussed it yet and hairdressing is still in the list of prohibited (activities),” he said.

On the proposal for action to be taken against parents and guardians who bring children below the age of 12 years to public places, Ismail Sabri said there is currently no SOP or regulation under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) about it.