KUCHING: Although we are in the midst of a pandemic, the coronavirus outbreak has not slowed down preparations for Christmas.
In an attempt to spread the festive cheer, premises throughout the city are seen furnished with Christmas decorations and their staff members putting on Santa hats or other Christmas-themed attire to put a smile on customers’ faces.
Despite the pandemic, grocery stores were not spared from the pre-Christmas rush as people were seen flocking to do some last minute shopping.
A woman purchasing flowers in Padungan, Kuching to bring to the graves of loved ones. Photo: Ghazali Bujang 
Supermarket staff members adorn Santa hats as they supervise the pre-Christmas rush. Photo: Ghazali Bujang
Christmas is one of the most important days for Christians and while the Covid-19 pandemic has caused churches around the state to implement restrictions on the number of people allowed to attend Christmas Mass, it has not stopped church committee members from putting up decorations.
Christmas is a family holiday which is not only celebrated with the living, but also the departed. For some, this means going to cemeteries to pay their respects to their departed loved ones. People were also seen going to florists to buy flowers to adorn the graves of the deceased. They also brought buckets, sponges, and soap to clean the gravestones.
This goes to show that we are still able to practise customs associated with our respective celebrations and carry out preparations for the annual festivity, all while adapting to the new normal.
Families visiting the cemetrary to clean the graves of their loved ones. Photo: Ghazali Bujang 
A waitress at a coffee shop wears a Santa hat to spread the holiday cheer to customers. Photo: Ghazali Bujang
