KUCHING: Good news for couples as wedding ceremonies at places of worship and non-Muslim religious associations are allowed effective July 1.
Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) in a guideline released yesterday said only 20 people are allowed during wedding ceremonies, and they must adhere to the one-metre social distancing.
The wedding ceremonies will be subject to the agreed guidelines — that is the respective places of worship and non-Muslim religious associations must have an assistant marriage registrar appointed under Section 28 of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 (Act 164).
Besides that, the guideline also outlined that for funeral services, it will be limited to 50 persons comprising funeral services personnel and immediate family members.
Meanwhile, according to Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), grave visitation is limited to 20 people and only immediate family members are allowed.
Gatherings before and after wedding ceremonies, funeral services and grave visitation will not be permitted, and attendees must leave after the ceremonies have concluded.
Children under the age of 12 are also not permitted to attend marriage services, funeral services, and grave visits.
Unifor said any person with symptoms of fever, cough, cold or temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius is prohibited at all the ceremonies. Social activities such as eating, drinking and others, including those involving physical contact are also not allowed.
For all places of worship and non-Muslim religious associations that will resume such activities starting July 1, they are advised to conduct them with caution according to their ability and level of readiness to ensure that the situation is under control and in compliance with the SOPs set.
Those attending wedding ceremonies, funeral services and grave visitation must face masks at all time; wash hands with soup or hand sanitiser; avoid shaking hands; and fill in the attendance list or by scanning the QR code via the MySejahtera or COVIDTrace mobile applications.
The Guidelines can be downloaded on the Unifor website at http://jkm.sarawak.gov.my and http: //jkm/sarawak.gov.my/UNIFOR. It is also available at the headquarters of respective places of worship and Resident and District Offices.
For further inquiries, contact or email Simon Engka Crown (simone@sarawak.gov.my / 082-550610 ext 126/ 014-5750990) or Ambrose Linang Sidu (ambrosels@sarawak.gov.my/ 082-550610 ext 127 / 019-8780787).
