LETTER: While the standard operating procedures (SOP) for family reunion dinners during Chinese New Year (CNY) was relaxed in the recent announcement by the National Unity Ministry, we must remain vigilant about the need to gather during this time, especially with a near-exponential spike in Covid-19 cases.
The revised SOP is necessary to curb the spread of infection even as mass gatherings are expected during CNY. In China, this spring festival is the biggest annual celebration.
However, the Chinese government has called for the people avoid non-essential trips and travels during the Lunar New Year, known to be the largest annual human migration on Earth.
The National Health Commission of China has further ordered that people returning to rural areas had to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test within the last 7 days and also to spend 14 days at home for observation on arrival, not to mention stricter rules in some local regions.
The Chinese government enforces more restrictions even though the rate of infection has subsided a lot in most of the regions. Such moves can avoid the unnecessary exposure of coronavirus to the rural areas, where health facilities may be limited.
In Malaysia, there is no doubt that CNY this year will be different. We must adapt to the new normal, in not being able to host nor visit family members and friends. We all know that the tradition of visiting to our parents and (great) grandparents is of utmost importance during this festive season.
Don't forget, they are the group most vulnerable to infection, more so if their health is not in a desirable condition due to chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Even though interstate or interdistrict travel is still not allowed, young adults need to think twice about returning home or visiting friends as they could become asymptomatic carriers for the coronavirus.
While the Chinese community upholds the values of respecting the elderly, I think CNY should not be the only reason for returning home, save for those staying abroad. We must always care for them, but not only on a specific season that reminds us of the importance of doing so.
It is, however, a time for self-reflection of how we haven't been appreciating the freedom we have and the time given to us to care for the elderly. The advent of technology has tremendously improved our quality of life and we can fully utilise it to help us stay connected with our family.
We also shouldn't forget the healthcare frontliners who are going to celebrate CNY. They will remain at work in order to fight the infection during this festive celebration. It remains a difficult time for them, to not only be unable to celebrate properly, but also to face mounting workload with the influx of new patients while we are celebrating at home.
They are our backbone in this war, and we must appreciate the impacts brought by our healthcare system to allow us to be able to work and carry out daily activities. I would like also to urge everybody, especially the Chinese community, to remain calm and cautious about the basic SOP.
If visiting is unavoidable, bring hand sanitiser and an extra face mask, always. Besides physical distancing, wearing a face mask at all times, even during conversation, is the most effective way to minimise the spread of infection. I wish everyone, a safe and healthy CNY.
DR GOH CHOON FU
Senior lecturer,
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Universiti Sains Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times