KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — Authorities were still limiting cars to two occupants each notwithstanding permission for gatherings of up to 20 for Deepavali celebrations, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob clarified today.

He said this remained the standard operating procedure for areas under a conditional movement control order (CMCO).

Hindus in Malaysia will celebrate Deepavali this Saturday.

"On vehicles, we still apply the same SOP from previous announcements,” the senior minister said in his daily press briefing.

Last week, the senior minister announced that for Deepavali celebrations within CMCO zones, celebrants residing in landed homes may host up to 20 people at a time.

Strata homes 2,500 square feet and over were limited to 15 people at once while those 1,500 square feet and under could host a maximum of 10.

Celebrations were strictly prohibited for areas under an enhanced movement control order.

In the peninsula, the CMCO now encompassed all states except Perlis, Pahang, and Kelantan.