KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — The government will conditionally allow large scale social events starting July 1, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri announced today.
Such events must not last more than five hours while the capacity of attendees will be capped at 250 people, Ismail explained.
“Among social events that will be allowed include weddings or engagement ceremonies, aqiqah, doa selamat, tahlil, birthday parties, reunions and others,” the minister said at the National Security Council’s daily Covid-19 briefing in Putrajaya.
Public health authorities had banned all forms of mass gatherings since March, as part of a nationwide movement control order enforced amid a sharp spike in local Covid-19 infections.
Mass gatherings like the Sri Petaling tabligh event in February were identified as a major source of the country’s rising cases, now reaching nearly 9,000.
Daily new cases have dwindled since April and are now in the single digits.
Since May, the government has relaxed the MCO for most economic activities although it continues to enforce social distancing and advised the public and businesses to maintain social distancing.
Social event organisers are also expected to adhere to prescribed standard operating procedures, Ismail said today.
This includes mandatory recording of attendees’ temperatures on entry.
Events with food served are also prohibited from hosting buffets to prevent queues.
