After receiving fierce backlashes for the CNY SOPs announced, National Unity Ministry had appeal to the National Security Council (NSC) for the SOPs to be reviewed again.
In a statement released by National Unity Ministry on 7 February 2021, they’ve got the CNY SOPs revised and agreed by NSC.
You can now have family reunion dinners during Chinese New Year. However, there are limitations imposed.
Here’s the only 4 things that you’ll need to comply to have a safe CNY celebration and to avoid the RM1,000 bill.
- Family reunion dinner is now limited to 15 family members living within 10km radius without the need to cross district or states.
- Religious activities are only allowed on 11, 12 and 19 February 2021 and there can be only 30 person in the temple at a time. Wearing masks and social distancing is mandatory.
- Religious activities and sanitization works will be carried out alternatively throughout the day, with an interval of 30 minutes.
- Visiting hours for religious sites are from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. only.
- Prayer activities of the Hokkiens on Feb 19 are allowed at individual home compound only.
Public response
The revised SOPs receive positive response from netizens for being so much more understanding and it shows that the policymaker understands the Chinese culture well.
However, it should be noted that things are not the same as the previous years and we cannot afford to let things get wild again. We’ll need to compromise the usual customs given that the situation is unprecedented.
Any thoughts? Comment below!
