KOTA KINABALU: Colourful dancing lights twinkling to the tune of Jingle Bells and a jolly welcoming snowman are some of the attractions at a drive-by white Christmas yuletide celebration being held at the Basel Church compound in Penampang near here. The drive-by Christmas affair, which ends today, is believed to be the first of its kind in the state.

       According to the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia (BCCM) Penampang Facebook page, the drive-by celebration is a safer option for people to mark the festive period while reducing the risk of contracting Covid-19.

       Families can choose to either drive by or make a quick stop to get some snapshots before getting back into their vehicles for the rest of the Christmas tour.

       Those who visit the drive-through can experience “snow” in the city, get candies from a Christmas candy house, take pictures at the photo booth and listen or sing along to the yuletide music playing in the background.

       Strict standard operating procedures are in place in Sabah for celebrations and gatherings during the Christmas and New Year period as a safeguard against Covid-19.

       The minister overseeing pandemic issues in Sabah, Datuk Masidi Manjun, said the SOP came into force yesterday.

       He said that for Christmas Eve and Christmas, activities held in non-Muslim religious houses were only permitted between 7am and 11.30pm, with each session to be conducted within two hours.

       Sanitisation must be carried out at least 30 minutes before or after the next session.

       Only a 50% capacity is allowed on the premises and adults must sit one metre apart. Children are not allowed and attendees must be fully vaccinated.

       Masidi said no physical contact would be allowed as activities requiring physical contact were barred.

       As for house visits, he said hosts must provide temperature scanning tools and hand sanitisers and record the details of visitors, adding that visitors must also self-test before attending open houses.

       Masidi said those who had yet to be fully vaccinated were not allowed to attend such gatherings.

       Non-Muslim religious prayers or programmes could be held in the respective houses of worship on New Year Eve and New Year Day, with the same SOP compliance in place, said Masidi.

       However, no one would be allowed to have meals and any food distribution must be properly packed for takeaway only, he added.