It will be a virtual CNY get-together for many

PETALING JAYA: With Covid-19 still lurking, the Chinese community prefers to use technology to meet up with their relatives this year.

Every Chinese New Year for the past 30 years, Albert Tan, 61, would bring his wife and two children to visit his four siblings and their families in Kuala Lumpur.

“I am the youngest in my family, so usually I will visit my brother and sisters.

“But with Covid-19 still raging, back in December we already made it a point not to meet up. It is better we do not meet because of our ages – we are not young any more.

“If we are infected with the virus, I’m not sure if any of us older ones will survive. So, it is better for everyone to stay home and not spread

the virus, ” he said, adding that his siblings are between 63 and 75 years old.

Tan said the young ones in the family have planned to have a virtual reunion via Google Meet and Zoom, with e-angpows being arranged as well.

“The children in each of our families are tech savvy so I don’t think doing a virtual reunion will be an issue, ” he said.

Chan Hong Kee, 55, who lives with her 85-year-old mother, said she will be embracing the new normal of giving e-angpows instead of queuing up at the bank to get new bank notes.

“I don’t think it is a matter of limiting the number of visitors or how many visitors as it only takes one superspreader, ” she said.

Chan said they will have video calls using Facetime or Zoom so that the grandchildren will be able to throw their grandmother virtual hugs and kisses.

“We will gather for a virtual reunion dinner and toss yee sang using Zoom! It is a new normal, embrace it, ” she said.

Yen Ling, 35, wonders if the standard operating procedure will be the same is it was for Christmas when no more than 20 guests were allowed in a house.

“If that is allowed then we will have our close relatives over for dinner or on the first day of Chinese New Year, ” she said.

She said her two brothers are abroad and will not return this year.

“I will arrange to have WhatsApp video calls with my parents and brothers. Also, to ensure there is physical distancing, if it is allowed, we will have just two to three relatives over at any one time.

“We won’t share food, everyone will have their portion already given to them, ” she said.