Kota Kinabalu: The State Government on Friday agreed to increase the number of permitted worshippers at mosques for Friday Prayers (Solat Jumaat) and Obligatory Prayers (Solat Fardu).Sabah’s Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (pic) said 300 worshippers are allowed for Friday prayers at the Main Mosque (Masjid Utama), while 200 are allowed at the Masjid Kariah and 50 at Suraus.ADVERTISEMENT
“For Solat Fardu, 150 worshippers are allowed at the Main Mosque, while only 50 are allowed at the Masjid Kariah and Surau,” he said in a statement, adding that priority is given to those who are fully vaccinated.
Masidi said main mosques include the Sabah State Mosque, Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, Nurul Hikmah Mosque, Bukit Padang Mosque and all district mosques.
“Other permitted activities include Maghrib lectures, which in the period of time between Maghrib and Isyak.
“Additionally, the Solat Jenazah (funeral prayers) are also allowed subject to the same conditions imposed for Friday prayers and the five daily prayers,” said Masidi.ADVERTISEMENT
He added that the handling of the deceased and “ziarah kubur”‘ are also allowed, but limited to 20 people.
“For marriage ceremonies (akad nikah) at the mosque or surau, only 20 people are allowed in the hall or room, subject to the available space and permission of the committee,” said Masidi.
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Additionally, on confusion regarding quarantine procedures upon entry into Sabah, Masidi encouraged the public to refer to the National Security Council’s latest standard operating procedures (SOP), gazetted on Sept 17 under Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan.
“The issue of quarantine upon entry into Sabah has clearly been explained in the latest SOPs and it is a rule that has been set by the State Government from time to time.
“For official visits that do not require quarantine, it is still subject to the Malaysian Health Ministry’s risk evaluation upon arrival at Sabah’s borders,” Masidi explained.
Sabah’s cases dipped to 1,533 cases on Friday, while 22 deaths were recorded – six in Sandakan, three in Keningau, two each in Kota Kinabalu, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Tawau and one each in Beaufort, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Papar and Pitas.
“The State positively showed a decrease in cases, which is the lowest figure since Aug 11. Overall, 18 districts have recorded a decrease, while only nine showed an increase,” said Masidi.
Kota Kinabalu topped the list with 269 cases, followed by Lahad Datu (114), Tuaran (108), Ranau (100), Penampand (87) and Keningau (86).
He said out of the caseload, 540 are overdue cases from two to three days ago, 67 cases are from four to five days ago and 101 from more than five days ago.
Close contacts continued to be the largest contributor with 852 cases (55.6 per cent), followed by 473 symptomatic cases, accounting for 30.9 per cent of the caseload.
Of the caseload, 24 cases involved babies less than a year old, 110 involved one to five-year-olds, 283 involved six to 17-year-olds, 959 involved 18 to 59-year-olds, whereas 157 cases involved those aged above 60 years.
The caseload also comprised 1,361 Malaysians and 172 non-Malaysians, 1,508 local cases and 25 imported cases, while 868 are unvaccinated and 553 have completed both doses.
Masidi said category two infections make up the bulk of the caseload with 963 cases, while 534 are in category one, five in category three, seven in category four and eight in category five. 16 cases are still being evaluated.
Some 3,300 Covid-19 patients have been discharged from the hospital while 4,226 patients are currently receiving treatment at hospitals, low risk quarantine and treatment centres (PKRCs), prisons/temporary detention centres and private facilities.
Masidi said 189 patients are under critical care, with 143 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)/repurposed critical care as well as 46 in the open ward (high dependency ward (HDW)/acute cubicle), with 62 needing ventilator support.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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On Sabah’s immunisation programme, Masidi said 55.2 per cent of Sabah’s adult population have been fully vaccinated whereas 69.7 per cent of adults have completed at least their first dose, as of Sept 16.
Meanwhile, Kg Air in Beluran will be placed under Enhanced Movement Control Order from Sept 19 to Oct 2.