WITH the current revised standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Chinese New Year, many are still not be able to return home for their traditional reunion dinner.
Putrajaya prohibits inter-district and inter-state travelling to prevent ‘balik kampung’ cluster as the Covid-19 cases are escalating.
The latest SOP guidelines, however, permit family members living within a 10km radius to gather for the reunion dinner but the number cannot exceed 15 people.
Buletin Mutiara spoke to some of the non-Penangites, who are stranded at their workplaces, on how they feel about missing the biggest event of the Lunar New Year celebration. Some are from outstation and some are from overseas.
Qin Gan, a state wushu coach under the payroll of the Penang State Sports Council, said he has not returned to his home in Guangxi, China, for more than a year ever since the pandemic struck.
“Deep in my heart, I’m very sad and lonely as I have not seen my wife and son for so long.
“Another blow came when my mother passed away last month on Jan 31 and I couldn’t even make a trip back to China. It’s heart-breaking but I can’t do anything.
“I could only have a virtual session with my family through social media platform. For example, if I had wanted to go back, I would need to spend more than 20 days to be quarantined once I arrived.
“It would have been a waste of time. On top of that, I could not take that many days for my annual leave,” the 47-year-old Gan said when interviewed by Buletin Mutiara.
Gan said he could only hope for the best in this challenging period.
“In this period of time, I can only conduct some simple online trainings as many activities have been cancelled till the partial lockdown ends.
“Besides that, I am planning to cook a day before Chinese New Year and spend my leisure time at home,” he added.
His colleague Meng Xian Min, 46, said since he came to Penang to coach the weightlifting team in 2014, he has only returned to his hometown in Shenyang, Liaoning, only twice.
In order for him to fly back, he needs to make a few flight transfers. Besides that, he needs a long isolation period before is allowed to be back home.
“Our country (China) is very strict, especially with people returning home from abroad. One of my friends was isolated for 37 days when he went back. Can you imagine it’s more than a month?” he said.
“I feel really helpless but nothing can be changed. We just need to follow the SOPs and do our part.”
For multimedia editor Alvie Cheng, 34, this is the first time since 2011 that he will be missing the reunion dinner with his family in Yong Peng, Johor.
“In previous years, I would take a one-week long holiday to return to my hometown.
“Back then, I would spend my time with my family members and have fun with them.
“Fortunately, I still have my roommates and their family members. This year, I will spend my Chinese New Year eve with them. At the same time, I am planning to have a virtual session with my family in Johor.
“Anyway, I am not ready to return to my hometown yet until the pandemic situation improves. I hope the people or those in high-risk groups can be vaccinated soon,” he said.
Electronic engineer Ng Si Jie welcomed the authorities’ decision not to allow inter-state travel during the festival.
“They are doing the right thing as it helps to reduce the infectivity rate and curb the spreading of the virus.
“I would have no choice but to stay here in Penang. In fact, I will be working as usual from the first day to fourth day of the festival.
“I am planning to buy some foodstuff and cook myself for the festival,” the 32-year-old Ng, who hails from Ipoh, told Buletin Mutiara.
Oriental Daily journalist Issac Goh, 34, said his family in Perlis understands the current situation.
The media practitioners, he said, are considered ‘high-risk’ frontliners and so it is better for him not to go back to his hometown.
“My father and grandmother are getting older, so it’s better for me to stay put here.
“I’ll be having my reunion dinner at my aunt’s place in Penang. I hope people will opt to stay at home and refrain from large gathering,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting and courtesy of interviewees