Travel plans put on hold

Many choosing to postpone trips due to rising cases in Klang Valley

GEORGE TOWN: It was a difficult decision but for his parents’ sake, Trevor Sibert decided to skip his cousin brother’s funeral due to a spike in Covid-19 cases in the Klang Valley.

The supply chain analyst, 37, is still reeling from the shock of his 76-year-old cousin Vernon’s demise.

Vernon’s final rites are held in Taman Melawati, Selangor, today.

“Due to the pandemic, the most responsible thing to do is to call off this trip for the safety of our loved ones, especially my parents who are above 60 and belong to the most vulnerable group.

“It was a tough call to make for our family during this sad time,” he said.

On Wednesday, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah wrote on Facebook that Selangor recorded a Rt of 1.95, much higher than that in Sabah, following a surge in daily new infections from two to three cases to 10 to 15 cases.

An Rt value indicates how fast Covid-19 is spreading.

Trevor said his father was very close to Vernon who loved to come to Penang when he was younger.

Event planner Jocelyn Tan, 26, also cancelled her trip to Kuala Lumpur for her friend’s birthday celebration.

“I am supposed to go this weekend as I have not seen her for months. It’s supposed to be a surprise for her big day. But I have to call it off due to the rising Covid-19 cases.

“My parents also advised me to postpone the trip as they are worried for my health and safety,” said Tan, who has been working in Penang for the past three years.

Penangite Elina Bashar, who is eight months pregnant and working in Kuala Lumpur, decided not to return to her home state due to the surge in Covid-19 cases there.

“Besides risking my pregnancy, I’m also afraid of unknowingly transmitting the virus to my elderly parents in my home town.

“There are 10 people living in my family home, including five children. The oldest child is nine years old and the youngest is only a year old.

“I need to protect both the elderly and the young ones in my family and right now, I need to cut down on travelling,” said the 27-year-old writer, who last went back to Penang in January.