Ministry of National Unity: church choir, prayers allowed for Christmas, family visits for fully vaccinated people | Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, December 16 – Choir performances in church on Christmas are permitted as long as those involved practice a physical distance of at least one meter and wear a face mask or face shield.

The Department of National Unity, in a statement released today, said it was part of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Christmas celebration on December 24 and 25.

National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamad Sadique had the SOP approved at the Quartet’s meeting of ministers on Covid-19 today.

The statement said that prayer ceremonies are allowed in accordance with the SOP for the opening of non-Muslim places of worship as part of the national stimulus plan.

Other than that, only those who have been fully immunized are allowed to make family visits on Christmas.

Door-to-door carols are prohibited while stalls for sale on Christmas Day can be set up subject to the approval and control of local authorities, the statement said.

Halimah urged Christians to celebrate Christmas under the new standard by always respecting SOPs, including wearing a face mask and practicing physical distancing, to help break the chain of Covid-19 infection in Malaysia. – Bernama