JOHOR BARU: The Johor government wants to avoid any new Covid-19 clusters from emerging during Hari Raya Haji celebrations, which will take place on Tuesday (July 20).

       State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Tosrin Jarvanthi said the government has agreed and decided during its executive council meeting on Wednesday (July 14) that all imam, bilal and mosque and surau committee members be given the Covid-19 vaccine immediately.

       “This is to ensure there will not be any religious cluster and to strengthen the standard operating procedures (SOPs) at mosques and surau in Johor.

       “All district kadi offices have been directed to act immediately by sending a list of names of the mosque and surau management to their respective district health offices in the state,” he said here Thursday (July 15).

       Tosrin also reminded that slaughterhouses that have been given the approval to operate during Hari Raya Haji to keep their premises clean and abide by the SOP set by the government.

       He added that he had carried out spot checks with the Veterinary Department during a working visit at 15 slaughterhouses.

       Tosrin said some of the slaughterhouses were not following the SOP given including providing a blood reservoir pool, wastewater, and not keeping the area clean and they had been given a reminder and a final warning.

       He also said that even though these slaughterhouses were temporary centres for the sacrificial activities, the owners should not take the SOP lightly as the Covid-19 pandemic was still ongoing.

       “We do not want clusters to come from these slaughterhouses and the government will not hesitate to cancel their license and permits that have been given approval.

       “They have also been reminded that they must obtain valid certificates from the Johor Islamic Religious Department for the slaughtering of any sacrificial animals,”he added.