In Raya message, PM indicates exit plan led by community leaders
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has implied an exit plan for the MCO is in the works while urging community leaders to take charge in helping to break the transmission of Covid-19.
“In determining our future success, what is important is our personal responsibility. If we obey the SOPs, it means we have fulfilled our responsibility. This means a lot to all of us.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has implied an exit plan for the MCO is in the works while urging community leaders to take charge in helping to break the transmission of Covid-19.
“In determining our future success, what is important is our personal responsibility. If we obey the SOPs, it means we have fulfilled our responsibility. This means a lot to all of us.
“Starting now, all of us, especially leaders in their community, have a bigger responsibility, aside from frontliners, to contain the transmission of Covid-19 as an exit plan step before the conditional movement control order (MCO) ends in the future,” Muhyiddin said in his Hari Raya Aidilfitri address tonight.
Every person must practice personal standard operating procedures (SOP) such as checking their own body temperature, maintaining social distancing and washing their hands often with soap or hand sanitiser as well as wearing face masks while outside, he said.
“No one is more capable of doing this and taking on this responsibility than us. What is important is for us to remind each other about these things which have become all of our responsibility.
“Only when this becomes the norm for us, will the government decide when to end the conditional MCO,” he said.
In his speech, Muhyiddin also reiterated that the rakyat must follow the SOPs and protocols issued by the government in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during the current festivities.
He reminded those attending congregational prayers at mosques during Hari Raya to always practice social distancing and bring their own prayer mats to the mosques, among others.
“After prayers, there is no need to shake hands with others. Remember, let me repeat myself, there is no need to shake hands. It is enough to nod as a sign of respect and to smile,” he said.
Muslims can also pay their zakat fitrah online or according to the set schedule, he said.
Interstate travel is also not allowed during this festive season. Aside from that, only a maximum of 20 visitors per house are allowed on the first day of Hari Raya tomorrow, Muhyiddin reminded.
“So I advise you to discuss with your siblings and relatives, who can come to visit your house. While our relatives are at our house, make sure they practice social distancing and avoid shaking hands or touching,” he said.
He urged the rakyat to think about their elderly parents or grandparents as they are a high-risk group for Covid-19.
“It is okay if we do not shake their hands or hug and kiss our grandparents this Raya. It is not because we do not love them, but it is because we love them that we should avoid touching them.
“For those who have symptoms like fever, just stay at home,” he said.
He also advised everyone to avoid congested or narrow spaces. For those visiting other people’s houses, he asked them to wash their hands and maintain personal hygiene after their visits while those who receive visitors should immediately sanitise and clean their houses afterwards.
Aside from that, Muhyiddin told the rakyat to avoid visiting the graves of their loved ones as cemeteries tend to become crowded during Hari Raya.
“All this is important so that we can celebrate Aidilfitri and at the same time avoid the risk of transmitting Covid-19 after the festive season.
“I need to say this because, in a few other countries, Covid-19 cases increased after festive seasons. We want to avoid something like this happening in our country.
“So let us take these precautionary steps so that we are safe in the future,” he said.
He stressed that the decisions made by the government on the SOPs during the festive season were made in order to preserve lives.
“We sacrifice a bit of our traditions or norms for the sake of avoiding the transmission of Covid-19 and to save our lives, as well of those around us,” he said.
