The government has decided for all mass gatherings to be cancelled or postponed until at least April 30.
This was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a special televised address on Covid-19 last night.
“This outbreak will not end so soon.
“The government has therefore decided that all gatherings, including international meetings, sports events, social events and religious events, be postponed or cancelled where appropriate, until April 30.
“This decision will be reviewed if the Covid-19 situation improves,” Muhyiddin said.
He said non-Muslims should also heed the advice of the Health Ministry pertaining to religious activities involving large gatherings.
For Muslims, the respective state religious authorities are to issue guidelines in line with federal guidelines issued by the minister in charge of religious affairs.
Except for government events, Muhyiddin’s announcement appears to leave the final decision on the suspension of mass gatherings to respective organisations.
Earlier today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, said all mosques in the Federal Territories may continue with Friday prayers but with extra precautions.
This include a shorter time for sermons, performing ablutions at home, wearing face masks to the mosques, and providing hand sanitiser around the mosque premises.
Those who are sick or have Covid-19 symptoms of fever and cough should not attend prayers at the mosque.
Perlis, however, ordered the suspension of congregational prayers at mosques, while Selangor suspended all tabligh activities.
Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has also advised suspending all mass gatherings.