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CNY Reunion dinners are now allowed: Here are the new SOPs for Chinese New Year 2021

09.02.2021

By Rachel Au

CNY Reunion dinners are now allowed: Here are the new SOPs for Chinese New Year 2021

With Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year coming up, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced a new SOP that could be co-related. Beginning Feb 10, restaurants are allowed to accept dine-ins again with two conditions.

1) Dine-in will be limited to two people per table

2) There has to be a one metre distance from the other diners

All other existing SOPs will still need to be complied. “Restaurant owners must also ensure sufficient workers to monitor the entry of customers and registration of personal details via MySejahtera or manually,” he says.

“There must not be overcrowding in the restaurant and physical distancing must be maintained at all times,” he adds.

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Malaysians were both displeased and humored when the government announced its Chinese New Year 2021 SOPs during MCO 2.0. After countless hilarious memes and outspoken responses, the National Unity Ministry has announced today that the annual reunion dinner on Chinese New Year eve is now “allowed”.

Where previously it was only limited to family members living under the same roof or at the nearest night market, now it’s limited to families living within 10km of each, within the same district or state.

In addition, every reunion dinner on February 11 is allowed a maximum of 15 close relatives.

The ministry’s statement further stated: “The meeting also agreed that religious activities within houses of worship on February 11, 12 and 19 are also allowed subject to strict compliance of the SOP.”

The Star elaborates the ministry’s statement as per below:

“The number of worshippers must not exceed 30 people at any one time and they must also wear face masks and maintain physical distancing.

“The duration for prayers is 30mins, which will be followed by sanitisation for 30mins before the next prayer time.

“The prayer time will start from 6am until 2pm.

“Prayer activities on Feb 19 are permitted at the compounds of each other’s homes during the night based on the tradition of the Chinese New year for the Hokkien clan,” the ministry said in a statement.

Here are some of the best Twitter reactions to the initial CNY SOPs:

For more Chinese New Year 2021 stories, head over here.

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