Installation of tents for prayer purposes allowed in mosque, surau compounds - Ismail Sabri

The government has permitted the installation of tents in mosques and surau to allow more space for congregational prayers, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

However, Ismail Sabri said, the tents could only be set up within the mosque or surau compounds subject to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) compliance.

"When we allowed the capacity according to the size of mosques and suraus, we also allowed prayers to be performed along the mosque’s corridors, provided social distancing is maintained. But if the space is still insufficient, tents can now be set up but all the SOPs including temperature screening,registration and safe distancing must be observed," he told a press conference on the development of the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) at the Parliament today.

Ismail Sabri said the flexibility in allowing mosques and surau to increase capacity for Friday and congregational prayers according to the size and space available, also applies to non-Muslim houses of worship subject to SOP compliance.

"For Christian religious ceremonies in churches that are conducted in various languages, they are to take turns in holding the services,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the government has also agreed to allow driving schools to operate from 7.30 am to 8.30 pm.

He said while courses and driving lessons are allowed from 8.30 am to 8 pm, the companies are allowed to operate at full capacity, subject to compliance with the established SOPs.

Commenting on supermarkets which had failed to provide hand sanitisers on standby for customers entering their premises, Ismail Sabri said the premises could be compounded or given notice to shut down.

"The three main conditions are to check customers’ body temperature, record their personal details and provide hand sanitisers, if one of the conditions is not met, then the premises have violated the SOP. " he said adding that it was better to cooperate than to face stern action and incur greater losses.

-- BERNAMA