Sorry, no Raya visitors, says former Covid-19 patient

CORONAVIRUS | Despite the government’s permission for home visits during the first day of Aidilfitri yesterday, a former Covid-19 patient decided to keep visitors at bay, throughout Syawal for safety reasons.

Reza Huzairi Zainuddin (above), 41, said although he has recovered, he is taking precautionary measures to safeguard himself, his family, as well as relatives wishing to visit him during this festive period.

“I am not entertaining visitors... as a former patient, the fear is still there. I am terrified of crowds and crowded places, so no one is welcome here, including my elder brother who lives nearby,” the UDA Holdings senior vice-president said, in a Skype interview with Bernama TV today.

Sharing his experience of celebrating Eid in the new normal, Reza said "virtual visits" have been his choice to strengthen bonds with his family and friends.

Early yesterday, he made a video call to his mother to wish her Selamat Hari Raya and apologised for any wrongdoings, besides leading his wife and three sons in the Aidilfitri prayers.

Meanwhile, Reza opined that the public compliance of the standard operating procedures while visiting relatives yesterday, was unsatisfactory.

He feared the emergence of a "Raya cluster".

“This is probably because they have never been infected and think that this will only happen to others. However, my advice is, to be wary at all times as we are not free from the pandemic yet. Adopt the new normal of practising social distancing, wearing a face mask and maintaining good personal hygiene,” he said.

Reza was the 46th Covid-19 case in Malaysia and was treated at the Sungai Buloh Hospital for 11 days before he was discharged on March 14.

Following the enforcement of the conditional movement control order (MCO) since May 4, the government had allowed visits during the first day of Aidilfitri celebration, limited to only family members and not exceeding 20 people in one day, depending on the size of the house.

- Bernama