AFTER two years of restrictive pandemic measures, Malaysians will again be able to enjoy a more joyous Hari Raya with family and friends as Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) are relaxed from today.
For the Hari Raya celebration, the eased SOPs include allowing full capacity at mosques nationwide for Aidilfitri prayers as well as group recitals of the “takbir raya” at mosques, surau and from house to house.
Other than the relaxed travel rules, especially for those going back to their hometowns, Raya revellers will now also be allowed to visit and celebrate with relatives and friends, as well as hold open houses.
However, this is under the condition that all the guests wear masks, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin at a press conference announcing the reviewed SOPs on Wednesday.
He added that Covid-19 positive patients are not allowed to attend open houses or go visiting, while those with symptoms are encouraged to stay home.
“This Aidilfitri is a blessing for us to celebrate with our families, relatives and friends after two years of battling the pandemic.
“Therefore, in transitioning to the endemic phase, it is our responsibility to ensure that the festivities do not end in harm,” he cautioned, reminding Malaysians that we are still in a pandemic, so we still need to be on alert and be careful.
Malaysia’s Covid-19 daily cases have seen a declining trend in the past week, but as Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had warned earlier on Monday, there could be a slight increase in Covid-19 cases after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
However, Dr Noor Hisham believes that it would most likely involve less serious cases under Category One and Two.
He also reminded Malaysians to continue to observe all the relevant SOPs despite the relaxation of most set by the government.
“With the easing of restrictions, we hope that it will not be misused,” he was quoted as saying.
Universiti Malaya epidemiologist Prof Datuk Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud concurs.
“This is the first Raya since 2020 that people are able to celebrate in the usual way, without much hindrance and minimal SOPs. Infection rates have been trending down for the past few weeks and SOPs are being reduced to the minimum.
“However, this is all the more reason to be careful as it is all too easy to forget that we have not yet reached an equilibrium with the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” he says, pointing out that most children between five and 11 years old have not yet been vaccinated, except for those in Sarawak.
Ideally, he says, it would be good if those who have yet to receive their first booster dose to do so before going back to hometowns for Raya and to get children aged between five and 11 jabbed if they have not yet been vaccinated. As it is rather late to get the jabs now, he advises everyone going back for Raya to test themselves using RTK-Ag tests first to make sure that they are negative for Covid-19.
During the celebrations, he advises everyone to wear good quality masks – N95, KN95, KF94, FFP2 or better – especially for indoor Raya gatherings as they tend to involve a lot of people who come from different places.
“Masks should only be taken off for eating,” he stresses, adding that everyone should also avoid shaking hands as far as possible while trying not to sit too close to those who are elderly, those with comorbidities and unvaccinated children.
As for those who are planning to host visitors and Raya open houses, he advises them to make sure that ventilation is optimal in their homes.
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Community health specialist of the Faculty of Medicine at Univer-siti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, also advises those celebrating with families and friends to wear a mask, especially if they are in a place with a high number of people and if they suspect there are attendees who are not fully vaccinated.
“Also look out for those who have just returned from abroad who may show signs or symptoms of Covid-19,” she adds.
“It is also good to mask up if we are in a weakened immune status – for example, if we have cancer or are asthmatic or diabetic – to prevent getting infected as our immune status might not be competent.”
For those travelling to their hometowns for Hari Raya, Prof Dr Sharifa also recommends that they get influenza jabs for extra protection especially if they are at higher risks, such as the elderly.
For Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming, from Universiti Malaya’s Depart-ment of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, before going back to hometowns for Raya, it is not only important to do a self-test but to also reduce our chances of getting infected by avoiding going to crowded places or having meals with friends or meeting others outside of our regular social circle before our trip. Crucially, those who test positive should cancel their Raya and balik kampung plans. This also applies to those who test negative but have symptoms, she stresses.
“We should avoid the chances of getting positive after we are back in our hometown and exposing our family members, especially the old folks, to the risks of Covid-19 infection.”
For those who are back in their hometowns, she advises them to avoid large gatherings of family members and friends as much as possible.
“Try to have an appointment system to control the number of people visiting at any one time. This sounds bad but this is the only way of maintaining safe physical distance,” she says, adding that those who are expecting guests should try to keep the house airy and well-ventilated.
It is also important to mask up when out visiting, she says.
“Have masks on except while eating; at the same time everyone should try not to chat and eat over long periods of time.”
As she stresses, everyone needs to be vigilant while celebrating.
“The virus is still with us and we have to find ways to co-exist with it. It doesn’t go away when the government relaxes the SOPs.
“Weigh your risks and take the appropriate measures to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
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Concurring, public health expert Assoc Prof Dr Malina Osman says, first and foremost, we need to get vaccinated and must remain cautious about all possible risks of infection. At the same time, adds the epidemiologist and biostatistician from Universiti Putra Malaysia, all updated SOPs should be maintained.
Malaysian public health medicine specialist Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar also advises all Raya revellers to wear masks in high-risk places or events while maintaining an appropriate physical distance.
It is also important to have a good rest and diet, he adds.
Ultimately, says Dr Zainal, those who do not feel well should stay home and do a Covid-19 test.
“Everyone has to look after themselves and their family, so it is vital to take precautions to prevent any Covid-19 infections,” he says.
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