Metal ox to make a quiet entrance

Modest celebrations urged as rules tightened amid rise in infections

PUTRAJAYA: The metal ox will arrive on Feb 12, minus the usual boisterous reception.

Lunar New Year will be celebrated only among those living under the same roof, as outlined in the standard operating procedure for the festive occasion by the government.

This will include the reunion dinner and prayers.

“Activities such as lion dance, lantern procession, Chingay, opera and other stage performance are also prohibited,” Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob told a media briefing yesterday.

“Visits and cross-border travel will not be permitted during this Chinese New Year.”

Prayers at temples are not allowed with the exception of five of its committee members.

As for Sarawak which is mostly under conditional MCO, he said the state government would be making an announcement on the SOP there.

Ismail Sabri warned that businesses could risk being shut down if there were violations of SOP at their premises.

A closure order will be issued if Covid-19 cases are found in premises that the government has allowed to remain open during the movement control order.

“We will be very strict this time,” he said.

To a question, he said there had been instances where construction sites and factories were ordered to shut down their operation after the workers were found infected.

“We have already been doing this. We have already closed down construction sites and factories with Covid-19 cases until the situation there has been cleared,” he said.

He also announced that pasar malam, hair salons and car wash would be allowed to resume operations starting today after the health authorities had evaluated the risks of allowing them to reopen.

“After confirming that there are no clusters resulting from these activities, the National Security Council has agreed to allow the three activities to open with strict SOP in place,” he said.

Pasar malam operating hours are from 4pm to 10pm. Among others, the stalls must be at least one metre apart, entry and exit points are to be separated and Rela personnel must be on duty to ensure compliance.

For hair salons, they are allowed to open until 10pm. Only haircuts are permitted while facials and other services are not allowed.

The staff must wear a face shield, apron and gloves. Scissors and hair brushes are to be cleaned using hot water.

Car wash operators are allowed to open until 10pm.