Selangor has moved into Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan. The move has opened up most of the social and economic sectors, as well as places of worship. We caught up with a few representatives from various places of worship to find out how they are coping with the transition.
Here’s what they tell us:
Guan-Di Temple, PJS9 Bandar Sunway
Chairman: Koay Teng Koon
Guan-Di Temple in Bandar Sunway expects the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that have been put in place at the temple will continue to be practiced for the next few years as the country tackles the transition of Covid-19 from pandemic to endemic, according to its chairman Koay Teng Koon.
“We are also exploring how we can have hybrid online sessions for celebrations and festivals. Prevention is better than cure. If we were to organize events with strict SOPs, there is no guarantee that no one can get exposed to Covid-19.”
“We have no plans to organize any events or celebrate any festivals at the temple for now,” he said.
According to Koay, the temple is now open to fully-vaccinated members of the public from 8am-6pm daily. Those allowed entry will need to scan their MySejahtera and only if they have low risk status will they continue to scan their temperature before allowed in.
“Everyone who comes in must wear their face mask and exercise physical distancing at all times,” he added.
The maximum capacity for the temple at any one time has been reduced from 50 previously to 20 presently.
“We are happy that devotees and visitors have been cooperative and they are abiding by the SOPs in place at the temple,” he said.
Sri Subramaniar Temple, PJS9 Bandar Sunway
Chairman: Datuk R. Manivasagan
THE Sri Subramaniar Temple will continue to organise and host festivals at its premises but under strict SOPs, according to its chairman Datuk R. Manivasagan.
“Festivals like Deepavali and Kandasasthi will be hosted at the temple. It will however be carried out under strict SOPs set by the National Security Council and the Malaysia Hindu Sangam.”
“We have temple committee members who will be present to check on all SOPs before allowing anyone to enter the temple. Fully vaccinated individuals with low risk status or casual contact low risk status will be allowed to enter,” he said, adding that all the SOPs like scanning MySejahtera and checking a person’s temperature will be a prerequisite.
According to Manivasagan, the temple is open to the public from 6.30am to 11.30am and 6.30pm to 9.30pm from Monday to Sunday.
“Our maximum capacity for the temple is now 350 compared to 800 previously. SOPs will continue to be implemented and enforced for as long as we need it to prevent exposure to Covid-19.”
“Presently we have a few online classes being carried out as well. However, we don’t see a need to go online for prayers at this point,” he added.
Al-Falah Mosque, USJ9
Nazir: Datuk A Majid Maidin
MUSLIMS who wish to conduct their prayers at the Al-Falah Mosque in USJ9 will have to be fully vaccinated before they are allowed to enter the premises, according to its Nazir Datuk A. Majid Maidin.
“The mosque is open for the 5-times daily prayers according to the specific time and Friday prayers.”
“We have however limited the number of people who can attend the daily prayers to 200 per session while for Friday prayers, 350 are allowed to enter,” he said.
According to Majid, SOPs compliance was being monitored and checked by committee members who are on duty.
“We hope to allow more to enter for prayers as the situation improves,” he added.
Subang Jaya Buddhist Association, SS13
President: Andy Lim
The main shrine hall at the Subang Jaya Buddhist Association temple continues to be closed to the public. However, a smaller shrine hall which is not enclosed and is well-ventilated is now open for devotees from 6.30am to 6pm daily, according to its president Andy Lim.
“Only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to enter. Posters and signage have been placed all around the entrance and temple grounds to remind people to wear their face mask, practice physical distancing and to sanitise their hands regularly.”
“” The temple has a capacity for about 500 people but it is now reduced to 50 at any one time because devotees are conscious of their safety and all our regular activities are still not open,” he said.
According to Andy, the shrine hall which is open to the public allows only 10 persons at any one time with a physical distancing of 1.5m.
“So far, our religious activities are confined to committee members, helpers and volunteers. Even when we use the main shrine hall, all the doors have to be opened for proper ventilation. The number of people allowed to be in the hall is now 30% of its capacity.”
“To ensure compliance with SOPs before entering the temple grounds, we have barricades with signage for entry – IN and OUT. We have helpers around to help visitors with scanning their MySejahtera and temperature,” he said.
Andy expects the current SOPs will continue to be practiced until the pandemic goes away.
“We had switched to online hybrid prayer sessions a long time ago but given the choice, we would prefer it to be face-to-face at the place of worship.”
“For activities being planned, we have an SOP team comprising of committee members to review any proposed events at the temple. The coordinator of the event has to submit the list of proposed SOPs for review and approval before they are allowed to begin,” he added.
