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KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Despite red lanterns and other decorations on the streets, and in shopping malls and temples across Malaysia, health and safety are in the minds of Chinese Malaysians who will celebrate the Lunar New Year with various measures taken to ensure their safety amid the COVID-19.
The restrictions on movements and the number of people allowed to attend the family reunion dinner have not put a damper on people's spirits which remain high as the celebration rolls closer.
For Kuala Lumpur resident Lam Kai Wah, the celebration has not changed in character, just that a different format has to be observed that is the way things are done under the "new normal" and compliance with various standard operating procedures (SOP).
"For this year Chinese New Year, every year, the same. There is no difference but the celebration format is different. This year we have to follow a lot of the new norm. That means we have to follow a lot of SOP and all that in order to celebrate in a peaceful way.
"Anyhow, festival is the same. We still celebrate, feeling the same. It is adapting to new norm. What we do is from our thoughts and our heart," he told Xinhua.
Malaysia implemented a second round of movement restrictions across the country on Jan. 13, following a surge in new COVID-19 cases. The country reported 3,288 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, bringing the national total to 251,604.
Strict restrictions on large social gathering and cross-state travel means traditional events like lion dances could not be held, while many could not return to the countryside for celebration.
Another Kuala Lumpur resident, Wong Eng Yu, believed that the challenges brought on by the pandemic will pass and she urged people celebrating to take them in their stride while being positive and determined.
"This year for me is a bit quiet as compared with the previous year but nevertheless, we have to accept this new you know, this uncertainty in life.
"Try not to complain and grumble alright so that we don't burden others and burden ourselves or family, relatives and friends. So we try our best to celebrate ok in a quiet manner alright, peacefully you know," she said.
The Malaysian government announced some relaxation of its movement control order ahead of the festivities to enable people to mark the important celebration, with relatives living within a 10 km radius being allowed to participate in the reunion dinner, with a cap of 15 people. Enditem