Missing festive gathering this year

GEORGE TOWN: Students and young working adults are prepared to not go back to their hometowns for Chinese New Year due to the Covid-19 situation.

“Although I really want to be home for the festive season, I know the risk of travelling. I’ll miss the delicious home-cooked food and the annual family gathering.

“Chinese New Year is the only time of the year where my friends and family from overseas will come home and catch up with each other. I guess many would not be able to make it home this time around, ” said undergraduate Ben Liew, 23, who will not be going home to Ipoh.

Liew, who is studying in Melaka, will be ushering in the Lunar New Year with his friends.

“I sincerely hope the situation will improve and life can go back to normal, ” he said.

Online travel agency team captain Barbara Chow, 27, will be missing Chinese New Year celebrations with her family for the first time and is resigned to having video calls instead.

“Guess I won’t be able to make it home for Chinese New Year this time. I would head home even just for a day in previous years.

“Chinese New Year is the only time my brother, who works in Singapore, will be home, ” said Chow, who lives in Kuala Lumpur.

Software developer Winson Cheong, 26, hopes that the situation will improve soon.

“If the situation permits, I would like to go back to my hometown, Ipoh, to celebrate Chinese New Year.

“I also look forward to celebrating the first Chinese New Year with my fiance in Klang, Selangor, ” said Cheong, who is working in Penang.

He will remain in Penang if interstate travel is still not allowed.

“I will probably just eat, rest and chill here. I have not applied for leave as I do not want to waste it if I cannot go home, ” he said.

Student Joshua Tan, 22, still put up Chinese New Year decorations at his home in Melaka although the celebration would only be confined to family members this year.

“We have hung Chinese couplets and lanterns at home for a prosperous and auspicious year ahead.

“This year, we have decided to keep the decorations simple as there will not be many guests,” he said.