KUALA LUMPUR: Those found ignoring standard operating procedures (SOP), in particular physical distancing, while enjoying recreational activities in public areas will face action, the police warn.

       Federal Internal Security and Public Order Department deputy director Comm Datuk Mastor Mohd Ariff said they would be forced to act firmly if things got out of control and if there were too many people at a certain place.

       “We don’t plan to close down public places found to be overcrowded because we have checked and found that the visitors came from the same bubble. We will only increase monitoring of these areas,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       Comm Mastor also said police would be working together with Rela under Op Patuh to conduct scheduled monitoring in areas which are expected to be the focal points.

       He also said most of the visitors at recreational areas were with family members who either came together or are staying together, while these locations are only crowded on Saturdays and Sundays.

       He was commenting on pictures and videos which appeared on social media showing the public bathing in rivers and visiting recreational parks, while disregarding social distancing last weekend.

       Starting last Friday, the government announced that crossing districts was allowed after Klang Valley transitioned to Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP). — Bernama