KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 -- The closure of major malls and supermarkets owing to their inclusion in the Hotspot Identification by Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) system could be ill-judged due to Aidilfitri this week, said health experts.

The government suddently ordered the simultaneous three-day closures during the weekend just before Aidilfitri - typically a peak shopping period when Muslim families purchase items needed for their celebrations - and giving little time for shoppers to react.

AIMST University's School of Medicine Assoc Professor Dr Saraswathi Bina Rai said the timing was unfortunate as she said there was a noticeable increase in crowds at malls in the vicinity of those that were ordered to close.

"I think if there was a good re...