Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah urged the public to continue to protect children and senior citizens who are at high risk of being infected with COVID-19 throughout the festive season.

Therefore, he said, every member of the public should avoid any gathering that does not comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) that has been laid out.

"What’s important is that we avoid any gathering that is in defiance of the SOP. So, what we mean is that 20 people who are allowed to visit are family members.

“So, while at home, maybe our family members are 10, maybe even a large family of 20.

"What we are worried about is those who come back from outside and probably carry diseases from the red zone, go back to the village and meet elderly parents.

“There is a possibility of infection from their children. So, we should protect the elderly and children," he said at a daily press conference here on Wednesday.

Dr Noor Hisham said what is important is it does not depend on the number of people involved but rather how each of them is able to comply with the SOP.

"So, our most important action is the SOP, not the numbers. If it's a big house and a big family, maybe the 20 people we are able to see them. But if we don't obey the SOP, we distance it or don't go back to the village, this should get the cooperation of everyone in order to maintain R0 (R naught) 0.3," he added.

To date, the Movement Control Order (CPP) 1 to 4 and the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) have been able to reduce the virus infection or R0 from 3.55 to 0.3.

In fact, if precautions and SOPs are not followed, Dr Noor Hisham does not rule out the possibility of a sudden increase in cases by mid-June.

"We will now see that reliefs are given in the CMCO. But if we are coming out, we must comply with the SOP, otherwise the R0 will increase. If it increases up to 1.6, it means we are in danger and may see a sudden surge in cases.

"It is expected that this could happen by mid-June. But if everyone cooperates and practises social distancing and is obedient, then we could be less than R0 of 1," he said.