Photos: Rumman Amin, Tony Pham
Chinese New Year is just around the corner. In case you missed it, it’s on February 1 and 2. Most families will gather on the evening of January 31 to celebrate with a reunion dinner.
This year’s CNY comes with fewer restrictions than last year’s. Let’s take a look at the standard operating procedures or SOPs issued by the National Unity Ministry in order to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from COVID-19.
- Family and friends allowed to visit each other’s homes throughout the Chinese New Year festivities from January 31 to February 15
- Formal CNY banquets may be held by invitation-only at 50% capacity of the event space. Visitors must be fully-vaccinated (2 doses minimum)
- No limit to the number of family members gathering at one place for reunion dinners on January 31
- Lion, dragon dance troupes will be allowed to perform their routines subject to few restrictions like masks and physical distancing
- Devotees may visit temples to perform prayers on February 1, 2, and 15
- Temples and those at home will also be allowed to perform ceremonies for Bai Tian Gong (Praying to the Jade Emperor) on February 8 and 9.
“We understand that in the past, we had to stay at home,” transport minister Wee Ka Siong, who was present at the press conference to present CNY restrictions, said. He added, “We could only celebrate Chinese New Year at home, but this year, we can celebrate Chinese New Year, but we have to comply with the SOPs.”
Stay safe, folks! Happy Year of the Tiger and gong xi fa cai.
