Practise 'self-imposed curfew' during Raya, says Health DG

PUTRAJAYA: Those celebrating the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities should do so under self-imposed curfew conditions, says Health Minister director-general Datuk Noor Hisham Abdullah.

"We advise the public to have a homely closed-door Hari Raya as this (Covid-19 outbreak) is unprecedented.

"You can curfew your own home for example so that no outsiders can come to your home and also stop visits from one home to another," he said in a daily media briefing Friday (May 15).

He said the self-imposed curfew should also extend to family members who may be travelling back home from Covid-19 red zones.

He noted that the “20 visitors per home” flexibility given during the festivities is not a "one size fit all" rule.

"Just forget about the number as it is not a 'one size fits all'.

"If your home has limited space, perhaps advise your children not to come back.

"You can still communicate via video conferencing," he said.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had announced on May 10 that authorities would ease restrictions for travelling during the festive season within the same state but with a maximum of only 20 people allowed in the same place at the same time.

Dr Noor Hisham was asked if Malaysia would impose a curfew during the festivities such as the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Saudi Arabia government between May 24 and May 27 to stem the spread of the virus.

On recent worries over the elderly and children spotted at malls, public places and hospitals, Dr Noor Hisham said this was brought up for discussion at the National Security Council.

"Don't bring them out to the malls, public places and even hospitals unless there is an appointment.

"For the moment, we are advising against it but follow-up action will be taken," he warned, adding that those who flout the conditional movement control order (MCO) would be slapped with fines or hauled to court.