Sabah sets special SOPs for non-Muslim funerals

 By Olivia Miwil - June 5, 2021 @ 10:04pm

Sabah has outlined special standard operating procedures (SOP) on funerals involving non-Muslims. - STR/MUHD ASYRAF SAWAL

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has outlined special standard operating procedures (SOP) on funerals involving non-Muslims.

The comes in the heels of a non-Muslim funeral which had caused a significant increase in Covid-19 infections in Nabawan and created the Pulutan cluster, said state Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

The index case for the Pulutan cluster, a 56-year-old disabled woman who had since died, tested positive after attending the funeral a few days before.

"It is the second incident after the Sinsingon cluster in the same district on Feb 22 (with close to 200 Covid-19 cases which led to Movement Control Order (MCO) in Nabawan).

"Due to that, the state government through the State Disaster Management Committee decided to come out with SOPs during the 3.0 MCO until June 14 to prevent similar (infection) to repeat," he said in a statement.

Funeral wake at home is only allowed for three days, whereby only three people including a host are allowed to pay their last respects for a five-minute duration at a time.

Apart from wearing masks, visitors must also have their temperature recorded and check-in using MySejahtera or Sabah Trace.

"Guests have to disperse after paying their last respects, there should not be any physical contact such as shaking hands, gathering or reception.

"Senior citizens and children are not encouraged to attend the wake," Masidi said, adding the prayer session's at home should not be more than 10 days.

A similar SOP is also applied for a wake at funeral parlours.

Meanwhile, Masidi announced that business operations time for Tawau and Kalabakan would be shortened by four hours compared to other districts.

"Following the worrying spread of Covid-19 infection in Tawau, the state government decided to limit the operating hours for businesses in the district.

"By taking into account the situation in Tawau, the operation time for Kalabakan is also being limited," he said, adding the time would be between 9 am and 5 pm.

Sabah recorded 259 Covid-19 cases today with one death each in Tawau and Kota Kinabalu, as well as two new clusters.