Celebrate Hari Raya with safety in mind

WEARING a mask outdoors and physical distancing is no longer mandatory starting today. This is undoubtedly a big step towards the endemic stage of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The relaxation of SOP, including not being required to scan the MySejahtera QR code before entering buildings or public areas, would certainly benefit the country greatly as we move towards living fully and safely with the virus as the economy gears up to full steam ahead.

But hang on there. Let’s not get overly enthusiastic about the lack of masks when outdoors.

Covid-19 infections aren’t over yet. The virus, especially the highly transmissible variant Omicron, is still lingering in our midst.

In fact, last Monday, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah warned there could be a slight surge in cases after the Hari Raya celebration – people will be travelling about and visiting each other after all, no doubt carrying the disease with them.

While the health authorities do expect a surge, the cases will likely be in the less severe Categories One and Two range, he said, reminding Malaysians to continue to observe SOP when necessary.

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Public health specialists have also suggested that people exercise caution in not wearing masks as the Omicron wave is not entirely over.

Dr Safiya Amaran was quoted in the media as saying there has been a spike in infections and deaths in Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States, coinciding with the lifting of mask mandates.

Dr Safiya, a medical lecturer at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, said a higher rate of virus mutations and new variants were reported in countries where the mask requirements were lifted.

On Wednesday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said although the authorities had relaxed the use of masks outdoors, we must still use masks in public indoor spaces (shopping malls, supermarkets, office buildings, etc), inside public transportation and crowded outdoor places, such as pasar malam or other gatherings, to keep each other safe.

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So let’s not act prematurely or too hastily.

Keep the mask on a little longer. It does more good than harm – after all, it has been part of our daily attire for the last 26 months since the country officially declared the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, and most of us still have many in hand, surely.

Let’s observe this long holiday season – a break that many of us need – and celebrate Hari Raya fully, something we haven’t been able to do for two years, responsibly and with safety in mind.

Let’s prevent an explosion of Covid-19 cases during this period.

Selamat Hari Raya and happy holidays.