IPOH: Families performing their rituals at cemeteries during Qing Ming have been advised to continue following the basic Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures (SOP).
Perak Health Department inspectorate and legal division chief Ahmad Fakurazi Abu Bakar said it was important for people to continue maintaining their physical distance, wearing face masks, sanitising their hands regularly and having their temperature checked to curb the spread of the virus.
"Should the respective associations open up their cemeteries for the festival, they need to put up a MySejahtera QR code and a notice on the number of people allowed into the premises, ” he said.
Speaking during a dialogue between Gabungan Persatuan Kubur Amal Cina Perak and the state Health Department on the festival here on Monday (March 8), Ahmad Fakurazi said that the relevant associations also need to station someone at the entrance to do temperature checks.
"The association also needs to advise visitors to observe the SOP," he said.There should also be only one entry and one exit and any building must be sanitised regularly.Associations also have the right to bar people from entering if they have symptoms or decline to cooperate," he added.
Qing Ming or Tomb Sweeping Day falls on April 4 this year.
The celebration has often attracted large crowds at cemeteries and columbariums.
Under the first movement control order last year, many people were not able to observe the tradition.
Ahmad Fakurazi said as Perak was currently under the conditional MCO until March 18, there were no restrictions for people to visit cemeteries.
"But under the conditional MCO, crowd capacity is limited to 50%," he said, recommending that five people be allowed to visit small graves at one time and 10 people for bigger tombs.
"We also do not encourage babies, small children and senior folk aged 70 and above to be brought along when visiting the cemeteries," he said.
"The National Security Council revises the SOP from time to time. Let's hope that the state can be put under the recovery MCO later so that there will be more lenient conditions," he said, adding that the compound for those violating the MCO had been increased to RM10,000.
