The Malaysian Insight

THE National Security Council (NSC) is preparing the standard operating procedure in conjunction with Deepavali celebration, and will be announced no later than this Friday, said Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. 

“I understand many would want to plan whether to return to their hometowns for the celebrations. 

“However, there are different restriction orders in place at a variety of places – the conditional movement-control order (MCO), enhanced MCO or recovery MCO. So, it is more complicated this time,” he said in his daily press briefing today. 

Despite the partial lockdown in Sabah, Selangor, Labuan, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, more areas have been classified as red zones, said the defence minister. 

“Cases are still rising, and we have a lot of public suggestions. Some people would like us to have stricter control, some prefer looser restrictions. 

“There are a lot of considerations to make, so the NSC will discuss in detail with the Health Ministry as well as the International Trade and Industry Ministry.” 

Ismail Sabri added they will take into account a solution that will help the country’s economy too. 

Deepavali falls on November 14. – November 2, 2020.