IPOH: Perak Muslim Clown Malaysia (MCM) group has taken the initiative to ensure compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to curb the COVID-19 outbreak by placing four clowns at the Taman Jati Ramadan bazaar near here.

MCM representative Nazirah Abd Rahman, 43, said the group was motivated to conduct the physical distancing and compliance campaign following concerns expressed by netizens on social media that many visitors failed to follow the set SOP that have led some of the bazaars to face closure order.

“When I watch the news and read (postings) on social media there are bazaars that are closed for not complying with the SOP, I don’t want it to happen here.

"Our main mission is to ensure that visitors comply with the SOP so that there is no Ramadan Bazaar cluster," she told reporters today.

Besides reminding members of the public to observe the physical distancing rule, the clowns also distribute free face masks and ensure the public to record their details at the bazaar entrance.

Nazirah said it was the first awareness campaign of such nature in Ipoh and it would be continued at other bazaars in the state.

On Perak MCM activities throughout the Recovery Movement Control Order period, Nazirah said the group would still accept invitations to entertain people in small groups such as at  birthday parties and family day.

"In any event such as at an orphanage or hospital, we have to comply with the SOP set by the government so that we can fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic," she said.

--BERNAMA