Gearing up for a safer Raya

BUTTERWORTH: With only days to Hari Raya, Muslims are busy making last-minute preparations.In previous years, this would be the time when shopping centres were packed with people buying new clothes and other necessities.

However, this time around, the sought-after items are disinfectants, masks and thermometers.

As part of adjusting to the “new normal”, safety supervisor Hasnizi Othman @ Osman said his priority was on health items.

“There must be sanitisers and masks. I will also be using rubber gloves when doing outdoor work as I feel this is safer and can reduce the risk of infection,” he said yesterday.The Kedah native said his preparations for Hari Raya this year were low key as he was worried about the Covid-19 situation.

Marketing executive Ilyana Abdul Rahman, 24, said this Hari Raya would be “toned down” as her family had decided not to receive visitors, except close relatives.

Ilyana, who lives with her parents and siblings, said her family only wanted to ensure there were enough gloves, masks and sanitiser for daily use.

They had also bought a thermometer to check the temperature of relatives who would visit them during Hari Raya.“We never needed these items before, but now they are essential when we go out because we do not want to bring the virus home. “Do not be upset if people do not allow you to enter their homes, but be happy that you have helped protect them from infection,” she said. Hasmarizal Abdul Hamid, 43, who makes personal protective equipment and other safety items, said the demand for masks, sanitisers, disinfectants, rubber gloves, thermometers and portable sanitation machines had increased by 50% since the start of the pandemic.

He said nowadays his customers consisted of more regular people compared to industry representatives.

“Previously, people were less aware of safety equipment, but now they take measures to face the new normal,” he said. — Bernama