MELAKA: The “new normal” will still be applied to this year’s Deepavali celebration despite the state having moved into Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), says the caretaker chief minister.

       Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Festival of Lights will be the same as last year.

       “The decision on the Deepavali SOP was reached during the National Covid-19 committee meeting that was chaired by the Prime Minister on Friday,” he said yesterday.

       Hence, the festival will be celebrated on a moderate scale similar to last year, he added.

       Deepavali falls on Nov 4.