Villagers looking forward to Hari Raya until Covid-19 came along
KUCHING: It will be a quiet Hari Raya Aidilfitri at Kampung Bako Hilir here after the village was placed under the enhanced movement control order until May 25.
The enhanced MCO was enforced starting yesterday after a number of Covid-19 cases were detected at the riverine village, resulting in the Bako Hilir cluster.
Villager Yusri Saini has been looking forward to the Hari Raya celebration but it would now have to be scaled down completely.
“As Kampung Bako Hilir is now under the EMCO, I hope people will understand the situation and those from outside the village will not come to visit,” he said.
According to the standard operating procedures issued by the Sarawak Islamic Council, all Raya activities are not allowed in areas under enhanced MCO. These include hosting visits from immediate family members, prayers in mosques and surau and grave visits.
Another villager, Sahdad Omar, said it would be a new experience to celebrate under the enhanced MCO.
“We pray that Kampung Bako Hilir will be spared from any disaster,” he said.
Fasihah Mohd Amin said she had completed all Raya preparations but accepted the situation.
“I’m very sad that I will not be able to celebrate Raya and I have told my friends not to come,” she said.
Meanwhile, disaster operations officer Lt (PA) Mahathir Mohd Isa from the Civil Defence Force said a first round of swab tests was carried out yesterday for the 679 villagers of Kampung Bako Hilir.
“Hopefully the results will come back negative. A second swab will be done 10 days later,” he said.
He also said movement in and out of the village has been restricted, along with all social activities.
“The entry road is controlled by the police with help from Rela and military personnel, while marine police are guarding entry points along the river,” he said.