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PETALING JAYA: A rule that allows friends and family in the same state to celebrate the next Hari Raya together as long as they don’t exceed 20 people per group at any time has been criticized by a public health watchdog that it says is not soothing. The fight to contain Covid-19.
The Galen Center for Health and Social Policy said the rule, announced yesterday by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, would defeat social distancing measures.
The government yesterday announced a one-month extension of its conditional movement control order (CMCO), which prohibits interstate travel and the traditional “balik kampung” exodus.
However, “small” Hari Raya parties of no more than 20 people would still be allowed, despite the general ban on close contact gatherings and activities.
But Galen said 20 people in one house were still a crowd, adding that it was impractical to expect the hosts to limit the number of guests.
“There are no buts but warnings,” said Azrul Mohd Khalib of Galen.
“There is no justification for why the limit of 20 people is acceptable when 30 is not, or how the risk is reduced and accepted in a group of 20,” he told FMT.
He said that in such private settings, it is not possible to practice social distancing or virus containment measures, such as wearing a face mask.
Azrul also said that it is impossible for people to know if their friends and family have been infected.
He voiced similar concerns about the government’s plan to allow prayer congregations, including for Hari Raya.
Mosques and other houses of worship across the country have been closed since March 18, when the movement control order (MCO) was declared.
But yesterday, Muhyiddin said that Islamic authorities were finalizing standard operating procedures (SOP) on mass prayers, which will be presented to Malaysian rulers as heads of Islamic affairs in their respective states for approval.
Azrul said that resuming congregational prayers would be risky.
“Disease prevention depends on the ability to change the behavior of congregants,” he added.
He said that it was possible to substantially reduce the number of people who could attend a congregation.
“If it’s so small, what’s the point of congregational prayer?”
He said that community exchange is an intrinsic part of religious rituals.
“Even communal prayer rugs will be a source of transmission,” he added.
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