Covid-19: Zulkifli urges participants of religious gathering to contact health office

CORONAVIRUS | Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri urged those who attended the “Ijtimak Tabligh” at the Seri Petaling Mosque in Kuala Lumpur last month to immediately call the District Health Office.

In a statement today, Zulkifli said this was in line with the recommendation of the Health Ministry to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Those concerned are asked to contact the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre or the District Health Office, he said.

Yesterday, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had confirmed that a 60-year-old Malaysian man, who had attended the religious gathering, which took place from Feb 28 to March 1, was tested positive for Covid-19.

Brunei’s Health Ministry had confirmed the country’s first Covid-19 patient who tested positive on Monday had attended the same gathering in Seri Petaling.

All State Health Departments are now tracking down over 5,000 Malaysians who participated in the gathering, which was also attended by 10,000 people from several countries. 

Meanwhile in Singapore, the country's Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli has expressed his concerns over several confirmed Covid-19 cases arising from a mass religious gathering in Malaysia. 

It is believed that he is referring to the tabligh assembly at Seri Petaling mosque in Kuala Lumpur from Feb 27 to March 1.

Citing a news report, Masagos who is also the republic’s environment and water resources minister, said 95 Singaporeans had attended the event.

According to him, Singapore's Ministry of Health is in the midst of investigating and identifying the Singaporean attendees.

“If you were there, please get yourselves checked up by a doctor - protect your loved ones and those around you. For those who are unwell, please seek medical attention immediately,” he posted on his Facebook page today.

On Feb 14, Masagos reportedly said that all Muslims attending prayers at mosques are encouraged to take their own mats and to avoid shaking hands to minimise contact.

These measures can better protect congregants from the coronavirus while still allowing them to perform their religious obligations, he said.

- Bernama 

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