KUCHING: Celebrants are urged to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) for Gawai Dayak as to avoid creating a ‘Gawai cluster’.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this time Gawai will be celebrated differently — in a subdued and cautious way —because the state is still in the midst of fighting the Covid-19 war.
“The pandemic is greatly impacting us now. We should never let our guard down as we celebrate. As chairman of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee and on behalf of the state government, I must apologise for the inevitable restrictions imposed on Gawai as well as Hari Raya last week.
“These were and are necessary to stop the transmission. We must stand united as one in this war as Covid-19 is not only extremely contagious, but dangerous as well,” he said in his Gawai Dayak message today.
He said the government therefore had came up with the SOP for the festivity and he thanked everyone for their co-operation and understanding so far, and hoped everyone will continue to do so.
“For those residing in cities and towns, they are not allowed to pulai menoa (return to their longhouses and villages) for the occasion.
“And penalty awaits those who dare to breach the nationwide conditional movement control order (CMCO) which bans inter-state or inter-district travel which is still in force until June 9,” he said.
Uggah, who is also Bukit Saban assemblyman, said majority of the longhouse inhabitants are senior citizens who are most vulnerable to be infected.
“According to the Health Ministry, around 63 per cent of those who had died were aged 60 years and above, and some 80.7 per cent of them had history of diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart problems and other ailments. Another high-risk group is children aged 12 years and below as well as infants.
“For the sake of our aged parents — our aki (grandfather), ini (grandmother), aunties, uncles, nephews and nieces — it is best that we do not come home. We can be infected but remain asymptomatic.
“Thus unknowingly, we will spread the virus to them. In rural areas this will have devastating consequences,” he pointed out.
He also reminded that celebrants are not allowed to hold any open house or do any ngabang (visiting) from house to house and longhouse to longhouse.
“It is very important that they observe social distancing — the new norm — and avoid having any activity which can attract a big crowd.
“For those in the longhouse, it is advised that they use disposable paper cups instead of sharing glasses,” he said, adding that the miring ritual is allowed but must comply with the SOP.
He also said it is important that everyone must take personal hygiene seriously and avoid shaking hands, wash hands with soap or hand sanitiser frequently, have a body thermometer in place, and wear face masks when anyone is unwell or when coming in close contact with others.
“I would also strongly urge that if anyone suddenly comes down with a high fever, coughing and breathing difficulty, they must seek medical attention at once,” he said.
Uggah also hoped that community leaders Village Security and Development Committees (JKKKs) will be act as frontliners to ensure that the SOP is closely complied with.
On another note, he applauded the decision by many longhouses which have prohibited non-residents or outsiders from visiting them during Gawai.
“On this note, my family and I would like to wish all Dayaks a very happy and safe celebration. I wish all Gayu Guru, Gerai Nyamai, Lantang Senang Nguan Menoa,” he said.
