For those of you who will be celebrating the Deepavali festivities this year, do take note! The National Unity Ministry has released the official list of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that you will need to observe to ensure the safety of both you and your family at all times.
SOPs have been formally announced for Deepavali
In a statement on disseminated on Thursday (28th October 2021), the ministry has broken down the SOPs into two different sets, one for states still under Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), and states that have moved into Phase 4. As of writing, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Kedah, Kelantan, Sabah, and Sarawak are in Phase 3. Phase 4 states include Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Melaka, Teregganu, Putrajaya, and Pahang.
Regardless of which state you may reside in, all dine-in activities at temple premises during the Festival of Lights are strictly forbidden, reports The Star.
Listed below are the SOPs for those who are still under Phase 3 of the NRP:
- Dine-in activities at temple premises are strictly forbidden. Packed food is to be distributed instead to devotees.
- Any religious activities or prayers in non-Muslim houses of worship may be conducted for only those who are fully-vaccinated. However, this is subject to the maximum capacity and size of the premise, while taking the 1-metre social distancing rule into account.
- Religious activities and prayers may only be conducted between 6.00am to 2.00pm, and from 4.00pm to 10.00pm
Listed below are the SOPs for those who are in Phase 4 of the NRP:
- Dine-in activities at temple premises are strictly forbidden. Packed food is to be distributed instead to devotees.
- Religious activities in non-Muslim houses of worship may be conducted, depending on the timing of the premises.
- Any religious activities or prayers in non-Muslim houses of worship may be conducted for only those who are fully-vaccinated. However, this is subject to the maximum capacity and size of the premise, while taking the 1-metre social distancing rule into account.
As a general rule across the board, processions are forbidden to be held during Deepavali this year, whereas Deepavali bazaars are permitted but subject to the approval and active monitoring by authorities. Cross-state travel is permitted only for those who are fully-vaccinated, as are cemetery visits subject to stipulated SOPs. Deepavali will be held on the 4th of November 2021 this year.
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