Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was because such gatherings were still under the blacklist of activities based on the current SOPs.
“There are many ways to celebrate the new year. We will not stop those celebrating alone, or with family members in the same household.
“But big celebrations, such as those previously held in KLCC, will not be allowed because it involves gatherings that make it difficult to practise physical distancing,” he said in a press conference today.
Ismail also warned that the government might revert to stricter SOPs, should people fail to comply with the set rules during the year-end holidays.
This could involve the ban of interstate and inter-district travel again, he said.
“Since we’ve opened up state and district borders, the health ministry has conducted assessments once every two weeks.
“If the cases continue to increase and the ministry feels that we should review the SOPs, then we will look into it.”
However, Ismail said no issues regarding nationwide travel have been brought up at the National Security Council meetings as yet, adding that they would only make a decision after the health ministry’s advice.
He also maintained that the country’s international borders remained closed to all foreigners, including those from the UK, South Africa and Hong Kong, where the new strain of the Covid-19 virus has been detected.
Police to conduct stricter checks in public areas
The police force will step up checks and closely monitor compliance of Covid-19 protocols in public areas, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said today.
He said stern action will be taken against individuals found flouting the guidelines.
“In conjunction with the year-end holidays and festivities, many have taken the opportunity to visit their hometowns, travel and host social events and gatherings,” he said. Such activities would create a situation where crowds will gather in large numbers.
He reminded Malaysians to practise new norms and to avoid the 3C’s (crowds, confined spaces and close conversations) in their daily activities to curb the spread of the virus.