KUALA LUMPUR: A social activist has urged Malaysians to usher and celebrate Chinese New Year responsibly by adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOP).
Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye stressed that the risk for Covid-19 transmission was still there despite the high vaccination coverage and booster uptakes.
"The virus is still out there and the Omicron variant is known to be the most infectious, irrespective of age, colour or creed. It can strike anyone, anywhere, anytime.
"Celebrating responsibly means strictly following the existing SOPs, that is to avoid crowded places, continuing to wear masks and observing personal hygiene.
"Strict adherence to SOPs is especially important during this Chinese New Year as families gather for their traditional family reunions or as others head for home in other states.
"For reunion dinners, only family members are allowed. They must also be required to do prior Covid 19 self-tests.
"Those with symptoms are advised to stay indoors.
"The SOPs should become part of our DNA against this Covid-19 virus and its variants," he said in a statement today.
Lee also commended restaurants and supermarkets for voluntarily cleaning and sanitising their counters at regular intervals.
He hoped that they would continue doing so even after the tail end of the current pandemic.
Lee also urged for stricter enforcement measures during the festive season and called for tough punishments to be meted out against errant offenders, in accordance to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
He also stressed on the need for road users to drive safely because the risks of accidents will be higher as thousands of cars enter the highways during the long holidays.