“A police report was received for non-compliance with SOPs regarding the wearing of face masks as required by the health ministry for everyone,” said Seremban police chief Mohd Said Ibrahim in a statement.

“This includes those who wear the full or half niqab.

“An explanation on this matter has also been issued by the health ministry after the government made it compulsory to wear face masks in all public places from Aug 1, 2020.”

Neelofa was charged at the magistrates’ court yesterday with not scanning the MySejahtera QR code or manually registering to check in while shopping for carpets in Nilai earlier this month.

She was attired in a transparent niqab.

Her husband, Muhammad Haris Mohd Ismail, was charged with failing to scan the MySejahtera QR code or manually registering to check in at the same premises, as well as for not wearing a mask at a public place as required under the SOPs.

Both pleaded not guilty and were released on bail.

Last October, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Muslim women who wear the niqab are not exempt from wearing face masks.

Said added that the current investigation is being conducted under Section 269 of the Penal Code and Rule 17(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures in Local Areas of Infection) Regulations 2021.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, police recorded statements from Neelofa and her family members for allegedly violating the movement control order SOPs during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

The family was alleged to have celebrated the first day of Hari Raya together at a house in Pinggir Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

Late last month, Neelofa, her husband and 20 family members were fined by police for breaching Covid-19 SOPs at her wedding and for crossing the state border.

She was fined RM20,000 and her husband RM10,000.

Neelofa has since apologised for the breach of SOPs at her wedding and for visiting Langkawi despite interstate travel being prohibited.