PUTRAJAYA, May 21 — The government said today it may consider opening up houses of worship to more people in the future, but stressed that any move to ease existing restrictions will hinge on the public’s ability to practise social distancing within the premises.

Currently, the Ministry of Health (MOH) allows up to 30 people to perform religious services at each house of worship, but with priority given to the buildings’ caretakers only.

But Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah suggested today that the quota may be expanded in the future, although most likely only after Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, when it would have been customary for the country’s over 17 million Malay-Muslims to congregate for Aidilfitri prayers on the first day.

“In stages, slowly but surely,” he said.

“We start small and as we go on, we (may) increase the number. But the priority at the moment is given to the caretaker of the place of worship.

“We hope we can continue to monitor closely in terms of the implementation of the SOP and if we are happy with the implementation, then we can increase in time.”

Six days ago, some of the country’s major mosques opened their doors for the first time since the government imposed a partial lockdown in March to coincide with Friday prayers, although the number of congregants was limited to just 30.

But despite enforcing strict social distancing requirements, concerns were still raised that attendees would flout the guidelines, after news emerged that people had gathered to pray outside the National Mosque’s gates.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, minister of defence and member of the National Security Council, later clarified that participating in prayers anywhere but inside a mosque is prohibited and gave a stern warning that action will be taken against those who do so.