Covid-19 remains a concern amidst Gawai Dayak celebration
KUCHING: The Dayak community must not let their guard down in celebrating Gawai this year, advises Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He reminds those celebrating the festival to continue practising all the precautionary measures, especially in terms of hygiene and social distancing, in view of the current Covid-19 pandemic, which is still a cause of concern.
“The Gawai Dayak celebration is here again, but we will not be able to celebrate it the way we are very familiar with. It will be a different – in fact, (it would be a more) subdued celebration this time,” said Uggah in his Gawai Dayak message.
As chairman of Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and on behalf of the Sarawak government, Uggah apologised for the inevitable restrictions imposed on the people during Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai Dayak festivals this year due to the pandemic.
“These (restrictions) are necessary to stop the transmission (of Covid-19). We must stand united as one in this war as Covid-19 is not only extremely contagious, but dangerous as well.”
Uggah said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared the Covid-19 pandemic as a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’ (PHEIC) – meaning that the coronavirus is a serious threat to humans the world over, and the country is still battling the outbreak.
Uggah said those residing in cities and towns would not be allowed to ‘pulai menoa’ (returning to their home villages and longhouses) this year – penalty would await those breaching the interstate and inter-district travel ban implemented during this Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period, which is in force until June 9.
According to him, the rationale behind this strict directive is that the majority of longhouse villagers are senior citizens, who are more vulnerable to Covid-19 infection than other groups.
Citing data from the federal Ministry of Health (MoH), he said 63 per cent of those who died due to Covid-19 were aged 60 and above, and some 80.7 per cent of them had a history of diabetes, high-blood pressure, kidney disease, heart problems and other ailments.
Other high-risk groups are children aged 12 years and below, and also infants.
“For the sake of our ageing parents, our ‘aki’ and ‘ini’ (grandfathers and grandmothers, respectively), aunties and uncles, and nephews and nieces, it is best that we do not return home (for Gawai),” said Uggah.
“There’s a risk that some of us might have been infected, but remained asymptomatic.
“Thus unknowingly, we might spread the virus to them. In the rural areas, this would have devastating consequences – we might create the ‘Gawai Cluster’.”
Uggah said the MoH had always been concerned about the possibility of a spike in Covid-19 cases post-festive periods.
“Those celebrating are not allowed to hold any open houses or do any ‘ngabang’ (visiting) from house to house, or from longhouse to longhouse.”
Uggah said it might be challenging for the people to observe social distancing, or the ‘new norm’ while celebrating the festival.
“(As such), avoid having any activity that can attract big crowds. The ‘miring’ (seeking of blessings) ritual, however, is allowed (during Gawai) but it must comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the authorities. Please remind your family members to wash their hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitisers, frequently.”
He also said disposable paper cups would be better than using glasses to serve drinks in the longhouses.
“The SOPs also require people to wear face masks, if they’re unwell or coming into close contact with those who are.
“Those who are experiencing high fever, coughing and breathing difficulty should seek medical attention at once,” he pointed out.
Moreover, Uggah called upon all community leaders – be they the Temenggong, the Pemanca, the Penghulus, the ‘Tuai Rumah’ (longhouse chieftains) or heads of the village security and development committee (JKKKs) – to be the ‘local frontliners’ who would strictly ensure that the relevant SOPs would always be complied with throughout the festival.
The deputy chief minister also lauded the residents of many longhouses on their decision to prohibit non-residents or outsiders from entering their settlements during Gawai Dayak.
“On this note, my family and I would like to wish all Dayaks a very happy and safe Gawai celebration,” said Uggah.