Pouncing into a safe Tiger year

E-angpows are safer, more convenient and environmental-friendly. – 123rf

FOR those roaring to go into the Year of the Tiger, it’s a balance between merriment and keeping everyone safe from Covid-19.

Many are going to take self-tests before attending reunions and visiting family members, while some are limiting guests at home.

Some married folks will opt for a combo of e-angpow (electronic angpows) and physical red packets, traditionally given by married couples to unmarried visitors for good luck.

There are also those who will deliver physical angpows and Chinese New Year goodies to friends to avoid face-to-face interactions.

It helps that the use of e-angpows, as well as similar services for other local festivals, have been gaining popularity, says The Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) executive director Kalpana Sambasivamurthy.

More people are expected to give such virtual money packets this year, as the adoption of online and mobile banking has increased, particularly over the last two years in the pandemic.

“This has made people more familiar and comfortable with transferring money via electronic channels, and is thus expected to further contribute to the wider use of e-angpows,” she tells Sunday Star.

It was reported that there was a 36% spike in online banking usage with 12.1 billion payments made in the 12 months up to June last year.

E-wallet transactions also increased by 89% to 468 million in the same period, due to changes brought by the pandemic.

With Malaysia still battling Covid-19, sending such virtual packets to loved ones is generally safer to prevent possible spread of the virus.

“We therefore encourage the use of e-angpows, which are not only convenient but also reduce the usage of paper.

“But for those who need banknotes, the use of fit banknotes for angpows is recommended,” adds Kalpana.

With the demand for cash peaking in festivals, Bank Negara Malaysia assures there will always be enough supply of banknotes.”We encourage the public to use e-angpow as it is more convenient and environmentally friendly, while preserving traditions,” it says.

When negative is good

With Malaysia facing the Omicron wave, most who are celebrating Chinese New Year are choosing to be careful.

Many are going to conduct Covid-19 self-tests before meeting up with loved ones.

Married folks are also adapting to the situation, such as housewife Patricia Teh, 36, who will be using delivery services to send physical angpows and cookies to her friends.

This is to reduce meeting in person to cut the risk of coronavirus infection while still being able to spread some festive cheer.

“With interstate travel allowed this year, my family plans to visit some relatives in Melaka.

“But we will not be dining out. Instead, we will visit our family at their homes only,” Teh says.

The mother of a baby boy says her family will also conduct Covid-19 self-tests before meeting physically to ensure everyone is safe.

“This is especially to protect the relatives I will be visiting. I don’t want to risk bringing the virus to them,” she says.

Similarly for L.K. Low, 40, it is now a must to get negative results with Covid-19 self-test kits before attending family gatherings.

“Doing this gives us a sense of assurance before we meet.

“I’m most concerned about keeping older relatives including my parents safe,” says the copywriter.

Low plans to give a combination of virtual and physical money packets.

She started giving e-angpows last year when the Covid-19 restrictions were stricter, and reunion dinners were only limited to 15 people living within a 10km radius.

“It is definitely more fun to give physical angpows to my single relatives, but I have to admit that e-angpows are safer in these times,” she says.

While her family has relatives in Ipoh, they will not be traveling during the festive season.

“Everybody agreed that it was better to be safe by staying where they are,” Low adds.

To travel or not to travel

However, many including Kenneth Ng, 38, are eager to go back to their hometowns in other states as it is something they couldn’t do last year.

“I’m delighted to be able to return to my hometown in Seremban this time.

“Since I didn’t get to usher in the new year with my family last year due to the travel restrictions, this year will be extra special to me,” says the IT analyst who works in Kuala Lumpur.

Nevertheless, he agrees that everybody should protect themselves and the people they will be meeting by taking self-tests before gatherings.

“Meeting in smaller groups should be considered too,” Ng adds.

A data analyst who wishes to be known only as Jean, 36, says her family is playing it extra safe by not accepting any visitors, unless they are family members.

“When my cousin came back from the United Kingdom recently, everyone did the Covid-19 self-test before gathering.

“We each sent a picture of our negative results in our group chat too,” she laughs.

Jean will also avoid going outstation to visit their relatives in Melaka.

“I’m still very cautious about Covid-19.

“We don’t know where an infection could come from these days, with many being asymptomatic,” she says.

Jean adds that her younger sister, who has a one-year-old son, feels less anxious though.

“But she, too, doesn’t plan to have any big gatherings at her house,” she says.

On Jan 19, the National Unity Ministry announced that family reunion dinners will be allowed on Chinese New Year eve tomorrow (Jan 31), with no cap on attendees.

While open houses cannot be held, Chinese New Year receptions can be held but by invitation only.

The reception cannot be held in multiple sessions and is not open to the public.