KOTA KINABALU – With less fireworks and no lion dance troupes making house visits this year, Covid-19 is the No. 1 party pooper on Chinese New Year.
Nonetheless, buddies Ng Beng Kim, Parino Chia and Soffian Koh, along with their families, have made the best of the celebrations.
“During normal times, the fireworks could last over half an hour, but not this time. Even the exchange of red packets was not as ‘intense’ as previous years,” Ng told The Vibes.
The 42-year-old said he skipped prayers at the temple, instead doing so at home.
He said he kept his wishes for the new year simple.
“As long as my family don’t go hungry and there’s always fuel in my car, I am thankful to God already.”
Chia, also 42, said he and his family stayed home on CNY eve on Thursday, and the first day of the festivities.
“We had breakfast, distributed red packets, and just stayed at home watching TV.
“The good thing about the movement control order is that I’m able to spend more time with my family.”
The Penampang resident said he held prayers at home so as to avoid the crowd at the temple even if the authorities have limited the number of devotees allowed on the premises.
Koh, however, went to the temple.
“The crowd was good and orderly. We were able to pay our respects to our elders, and there was no problem with parking like everyone had expected.”
He said devotees were allowed only 20 minutes each to pay their respects.
He added that he got on Zoom with his in-laws yesterday morning.
“Close relatives came around in the evening for a quick get-together, in the lobby of our condominium.”
Koh said his family’s wishes for the Year of the Ox are for better health and the pandemic to end, so things can get back to normal. – The Vibes, February 13, 2021
