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PETALING JAYA: Some flexibility was given to allow families whose members live close to each other to have their traditional Chinese New Year reunion dinner despite Covid-19 travel restrictions, it says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“The traditional reunion dinner practiced by the Chinese community on the eve can still be meaningfully celebrated among family members.
“Given this important tradition, the government has given some flexibility to allow reunion dinner with family members living nearby to no more than 15 people on the eve of the Chinese New Year,” Muhyiddin said in his Chinese New Year message on Thursday (February 11).
He said this also includes allowing religious activities to take place in temples according to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
He added that it is essential that those who celebrate the holidays continue to adopt self-discipline at all times, such as wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance and washing their hands.
“If we are among family members who are in the high-risk group, protect them,” he said.
Muhyiddin acknowledged that inter-district and interstate travel restrictions had prevented many from returning home or meeting their families.
“The restrictions are not to deny their freedom, but for the good of all, and are intended to protect lives, especially our families whom we love,” he said.
He noted that the priority is to ensure that the chain of Covid-19 infections is broken.
Muhyiddin stressed that the SOP is intended to allow the celebration to take place safely.
He noted that in the current state of the pandemic, all Malaysians, regardless of their race or religion, must celebrate their respective festivals carefully.
For families living far away or students forced to stay on college campuses, Muhyiddin suggested they rely on technology to stay connected.
“You can make video calls to alleviate the lack of relatives or good friends who are far away,” he said.
Muhyiddin hoped that this year’s celebration would bring happiness and prosperity to all Malaysians.
“Make this celebration a rich cultural and traditional source for Malaysians of different races and religions and a unifying factor for mutual respect among them,” he added.
He said the celebration on Friday (February 12) is proof that there is respect among Malaysians of various races and religions.
“We need to maintain this strength as it is one of the main pillars of unity in our beloved country,” he added.
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