SIBU, March 18: While the Chinese communities are looking forward to Qing Ming to pay homage to their ancestors, those working outstation are aggrieved that they cannot do so as inter-zone travel is prohibited.
The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has yesterday approved tomb sweeping, prayers and rituals during Qing Ming festival this year with strict standard operating procedures (SOP).
The SOP that will come into effect from March 20 to April 14 allowed activities in cemeteries from 4am to 12pm and in columbariums and memorial halls from 8am to 4pm.
For rituals in cemeteries, not more than eight family members are allowed and not more than two family members allowed to be present at columbariums or memorial halls.
A manager of a property development firm, who is now residing in Kuala Lumpur, and only want to be known as Tiong expressed regrets that she would not be able to visit her late parents for the second consecutive year this year.
“Last year, it was due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) in which inter-state travel was not allowed. And it’s the same situation this year. Looks like my siblings in Sibu will have to observe the occasion on their own,” she said.
However, Tiong still hopes for restrictions to be eased that will allow her to fly back now that the Covid-19 situation in the country has been improving gradually as cases have decreased nationwide.
For gym operator Lau Kah Yii, his younger brother who is working in Singapore and eldest brother in the United States will definitely have to forgo this year’s Qing Ming due to travel restrictions.
“They cannot come back now because if they do, they will have to observe 14-days quarantine which is very troublesome,” he said.
An educator, who only wants to be known as Ting, also faced the same situation.
“We are from Sarikei and my grandparents’ gravesites are there except my father who was buried here. So my family will only visit my father’s graveyard,” she shared.
Ting added that her mother and youngest brother have never failed to go back to Sarikei except for last year’s Qing Ming.
“My in-law side who are now in Bintulu wanted to come back for the Qing Ming. I wonder how they can do it when inter-zone movement is not permitted,” she asked. — DayakDaily
