COVID-19: Aidilfitri preparations not as lively as people adhere to new norm

By Mohd Firdaus Md Saisi

SHAH ALAM, May 19  -- A typical Aidilfitri celebration in Malaysia would involve a lively atmosphere of joy and a variety of scrumptious dishes to celebrate the triumph of Muslims who have observed the fasting month.

Visiting parents, friends and relatives is part of the celebrations, but before that, it is the preparations for Aidilfitri which take centre stage.

This year however, the preparations for Aidilfitri this weekend is different as the world is still battling the COVID-19 pandemic and people still need to get used to the new norm.

While in previous years, the last days of Ramadan will see Malaysians flocking to the shopping centres where festive songs blare out, a Bernama look at certain locations found the mood this year less festive as less people are seen out and about.

For instance, the Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) Complex in Section 14 here, which used to be the go-to place for Aidilfitri preparations is now quieter without the usual pre-Aidilfitri buzz.

Nonetheless, visitors were seen observing the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) including waiting in line, wearing a mask and recording their details at the entrance of each store they went.

Perhaps, the Aidilfitri mood has been dampened because children are not allowed in crowded areas including shopping complexes.

An employer in a clothing store at the PKNS Complex, Zuraiza Abdul Rahim, 20, said customers entering the store gave their full cooperation when the number of customers allowed in the premises is limited.

“So far no one has complained, everyone complied with the SOP,” she said.

A visitor, Mohammad Shahir Mohammad Ramli, 30, said this Aidilfitri will be different from usual and his family will celebrate in moderation as the no-interstate travel rule prevented them from returning to their hometown in Negeri Sembilan.

“In terms of buying new clothes, I did the shopping alone as the government discourages parents from bringing children along because of the COVID-19 infection risk. So I only brought a sample of my children’s clothing for size comparison at the store,” he said.

-- BERNAMA