KUCHING: The opening of temples for the Wesak Day celebration on May 26 will be allowed throughout the state except for areas under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO).
In all permitted zones, temples can be opened from 8am to 9am on Wesak Day for committee members and members of Sangha only, limited to 20 persons.
Additionally, for the Kuching Zone – which covers Kuching, Samarahan, and Serian divisions – temples are allowed to be opened to the public from 10am to 2pm on Wesak Day.
For this, entry is limited to 50 persons for temples which can accommodate more than 1,000 people and limited to 20 persons for temples which can accommodate less than 1,000 people.
However, bathing of the Buddha statue is not allowed.
This was announced in the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Wesak Day celebration during the conditional movement control order (CMCO), issued by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) yesterday.
The Divisional Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs) may amend the SOP for their respective divisions if the Covid-19 situation deteriorates.
On top of the aforementioned restrictions, there must be mandatory compliance with the Covid-19 prevention and control protocol.
Individuals who are unwell or having symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, flu, or breathing difficulties are not allowed into the temple. Senior citizens, children aged 12 years and below, and those suffering from chronic illnesses are also not encouraged to visit the temple.
The temple management committees are to appoint at least two designated wardens or two People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel to monitor the implementation and adherence to the SOP.
The committees are also to designate only one entry point and one exit point, in addition to preparing a counter for body temperature check, attendance registration, and use of hand sanitiser.
They must ensure that visitors apply the Covid-19 prevention measures such as use of face masks, maintaining physical distancing, and so on. Scheduled sanitisation of the temple hall should be carried out.
The responsibilities of visitors include immediately leaving the temple once the religious activities are completed.
Visitors to the temple are responsible to adhere to all directives from the temple management committee as well as other directives, guidelines, and advisories from the government.
