Stay home this CNY to stem Covid-19 spread, urges Sibu Chinese community association chairman

SIBU: Those celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year festivites are advised to just stay at home during the festive season and not participate in any gatherings to minimise the risk of contracting Covid-19, says Sibu Chinese Community Leaders Association chairman Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau Lee Ming (pic).

"Although the movement restrictions and gathering bans are slightly relaxed for Chinese New Year, I sincerely hope that everyone would stay at home, and refrain from participating in any gatherings or visits," he said Thursday (Feb 4).

In order to better contain the Covid-19 pandemic within Sarawak, the state Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) recently announced the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Chinese New Year celebrations in Sarawak.

SDMC said that the CNY celebration in Sarawak was only allowed on the first day with an attendance of 20 people at a time and are limited to immediate family members only.

It added that detailed guidelines on the celebration was available on the official website of the state Local Government and Housing Ministry at mlgh.sarawak.gov.my.

Lau reasoned that Covid-19 can be transmitted in various circumstances, and cluster infections were responsible for the rapid evolution of Covid-19 transmissions in bigger outbreaks.

He cited the Pasai cluster in Sarawak as an example, which recorded more than 2,000 cases to date.

"People could be infected with Covid-19 by asymptomatic carriers and pre-symptomatic people, which contributes to the high transmission risk of the virus.

"In other words, these carriers might have spread the virus to numerous people before the symptoms appear or are tested positive," he added.

He said while those who are immuno-compromised are at a “higher risk” of developing complications if they caught the virus, those who are healthy too must take some responsibility not to spread the virus.

Even if you are not particularly at risk of developing serious symptoms, you still risk becoming a vector for the disease and passing it to those people who are vulnerable if you do become infected, Lau added.

He said that prevention and control measures such as staying at home, movement restrictions, personal hygiene, protection and physical distancing must be strictly implemented at all times to curb the infections.

"I would like to advise those who are working or studying abroad or outside their hometowns to remain where they are this Chinese New Year.

“Restricting inter-state and inter-district travels is critical in preventing and controlling the spread of the virus," he said.

Lau instead advised the people to stay connected with their families and friends this Chinese New Year through phone calls, internet and social media.