ON May 10, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the CMCO will be extended to June 9. This included some welcomed enforcement moves, such as no interstate travel and no open houses for the festive period.

However, one that really bothered me (and many healthcare professionals whom I personally know) was the allowance of no more than 20 people (at any one point) to meet during the festive period.

This rang alarms in my head and raised many questions within:

1. How was the magic number of 20 decided?
2. How will this be policed to ensure that people follow this rule?
3. How will social distancing be practised with 20 people in a confined space?
4. Even if masks are used, how will that be possible whilst enjoying their meals?
5. Families from the same state travelling – what if one of them is from a red zone going into a green zone?

The list can be endless and don’t get me started on preserving the hygiene of our surroundings with regular disinfecting of materials, eating utensils etc.

Yes, the government has allowed a gathering of no more than 20 people, but if you think about it, Malaysians have the final say in accepting the regulations or to ensure they follow more stringent ones (do not downgrade the set rules!).

I highly recommend that this year, Malaysians limit their celebrations to household members only. This will not only ensure that the Covid-19 situation is contained, it will also avoid a potential outbreak in the event an infected guest (especially if asymptomatic) visits. 

If you think about it, how will 20 people (from all over the state) socially distance from one another in a perhaps confined space like most of our houses? Also, how will we crowd control to ensure that only 20 people are in the vicinity at one go? What if more turn up?

Even if we plan accordingly, do we turn additional guests away (Malaysians won’t do that!)? How do we know if those attending are from red zones? What if many of us opt to use our regular cutlery for serving our guests? Will Malaysians opt to use disposable cutlery and ensure that the disposal is hygienic to avoid a spread? All of this whilst entertaining our guest? This is mayhem waiting to erupt!

If after all of this and you still opt for allowing the 20-person limit, please:

1. Limit your guest list to the very core – list their names and telephone numbers. Don’t forget, 20 people include your own house people, so do not invite house people more than 20 guests. Remember, you may accidentally invite an unwelcomed micron-sized guest.
2. Avoid inviting people further than a 5km radius from your place of celebration (preferably those within the same vicinity/area).
3. Have a designated time for invitees such as 9am-10 am followed by 10.30am-11.30am and so on and ensure that guests come at their allotted time. If not possible, arrange for a different time slot.
4. If possible, have the celebration in an open area and avoid confined areas.
5. Put a person in charge of the ins and outs of guests as they arrive or leave to keep count of the number of people. This person must have the guest list and mark who came and left (this will help with contact-tracing).
6. If you are visiting, avoid visiting places consecutively. One place a day and you are welcome to skip.
7. Clean the area with disinfectant and provide hand sanitisers for visitors. Avoid using the regular kendi method after a meal to wash hands – ensure soap and water is used.
8. If possible, opt for disposable cutlery. Ensure that there are gloves for the senduks to maintain hygiene. Encourage eating using utensils to avoid spread of droplets from hand contact.

Can I be even more honest? I myself am going to miss Raya this year. I await this time of the year to catch up with my Muslim friends, especially in the kampungs, not to mention enjoying the homemade lemang and ayam rendang.

However, deep down, I know (and I have accepted the fact) that it is perhaps not going to happen, and the same will go for Hari Gawai, Deepavali, and maybe up to Thaipusam and Chinese New Year next year too.

Though I will miss it dearly but I will still give it a pass. Why? If I am an asymptomatic carrier of Covid-19, I might spread it during these visits. I simply can’t take that risk because I love the pakcik/makcik/datuk/nenek/young kids in the kampung much more than I love the festive foods.

To see them get ill, especially during the festive period, well let’s say I wont ever forgive myself.

I leave it to the best judgement of Malaysians in considering this, apply more stringent rules than the ones advocated to us or risk having another wave.

The power is in our hands, use it wisely. Or we will risk inviting another guest, Covid-19, to the party. – May 11, 2020.

* Dr Arvinder Singh HS is a medical officer.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.