By Ling Hui
KUCHING, July 23: It is now compulsory for Village Security and Development Committees (JKKKs) to report any deaths in private homes, longhouses and villages to the police or the District Office, effective tomorrow (July 24).
This was announced by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) in the updated funeral standard operating procedures (SOP) outlined by Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) for public use during National Recovery Plan (NRP) Phase Two in Sarawak.
SOP for attendance remain the same where only immediate family members are allowed to attend all funeral ceremonies.
For pre and post-funeral ceremonies such as wake and ‘ngetas ulit’, attendance is limited to 30 individuals at any one time but subjected to the size of venues, be it private homes, longhouses or funeral parlours, after taking into account physical distancing of at least one metre.
Similarly, funeral ceremonies at graveyards are also limited to only 30 individuals including service bearers and immediate family members at any one time.
Children aged 12 and below and Covid-19 high-risk groups are discouraged from attending any form of funeral ceremonies for the time being.
Individuals with Covid-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, flu or detected with body temperature over 37.5 degree Celsius are prohibited from attending any funeral ceremonies.
Attendees are disallowed from sharing food and beverage utensils including glasses, plates, bowls, fork and spoon. All food and beverages should be distributed in packages.
All gambling activities and card games are also prohibited in any form during funeral ceremonies.
Meanwhile, JKKKs are authorised to ensure strict compliance with SOP in villages and longhouses should there be any funerals. — DayakDaily
