Social gatherings including inside houses of worship have been recognised as avenues for high-level transmission of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.
This, according to Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong.
“The issues of contained space, crowding, and loud vocalization have contributed to facilitate high levels of transmission,” Dr Fong said.
“We have reviewed our house of worship protocols and we will be providing an update after a meeting with religious leaders.
“We appeal to the public and community leaders to remain patient in the early days of implementing these protocols and to remain focused on the overall objective of creating COVID-19 safe conditions around all social gatherings including the house of worship gatherings.”
According to the World Health Organisation, COVID-19 primarily causes respiratory illness ranging from mild disease to severe disease and death, and some people infected with the virus never develop symptoms.
WHO also stated that given that infected people without symptoms can transmit the virus, it is also prudent to encourage the use of fabric face masks in public places where there is community transmission and where other prevention measures, such as physical distancing, are not possible.
