PETALING JAYA: Infections are still high but the borders are open, businesses are back on track and Malaysians are all geared up to embrace the Covid-19 endemic phase.

       Many, in fact, are excited to meet friends and family members residing overseas whom they haven’t had the opportunity to meet for over two years.

       Qamar Rahman, 32, is excited to welcome his aunt and their family who live in Australia.

       “I am ready to embrace the new phase right now, I can’t wait to welcome my aunt from Australia. The reopening of our borders would also help our businesses which have been affected by the pandemic,” he said.

       Qamar, who is a lecturer, added that he would, however, still be careful even in the endemic phase.

       “I will still make sure that I take good care of myself, follow all the standard operating procedures (SOP) to protect myself and my family from the virus,” he said.

       Nor Ariani Wahida Mohd Nor, 23, said while she’s still concerned over the high number of Covid-19 cases, she is definitely ready to patronise the 24-hour mamak stalls.

       “I listened to the radio today and they said something about a new variant and no one knows how fast or slow it will spread. I haven’t had Covid-19 yet, so I am still scared.

       “But I have taken my booster shot, so I should be fine,” she added.

       Ariani, who is half Indonesian, is also eager to go back to her hometown in Surabaya, which she last visited in December 2019.

       “My grandmother had Covid-19 in July last year and she has fully recovered. I still haven’t managed to go back to my hometown, so I do feel sad about it.

       “One of the reasons why I haven’t gone back is because of the exorbitant costs that we need to bear for quarantine.

       “Now, since the reopening of borders of both countries, my grandmother can come to Malaysia or I can go back to Surabaya,” she said.

       Bank officer Mohd Tarmimi Mohd Zulkifly, 33, can’t wait to spend time with his friends at restaurants.

       “Prior to Covid-19, I would hang out with my friends until late at night but now the restaurants mostly close at 10pm.

       “I also believe that we need to learn to live with the virus ... (measures such as) limiting our movements and closing businesses early will not help the economy,” he said.

       Ilainya Barathi Paneerselvam, 28, said the high vaccination rate indicates that the public is relatively safe and protected despite the increasing number of infected cases.

       Nevertheless, compliance towards the outlined SOP must be observed by all regardless of socio-economic status, he added.

       Student, Lieng Shi Min, 19, on the other hand, is not too eager about the transition.

       “The number of cases is still rising and I am worried that people might no longer take the SOP such as wearing face masks and keeping social distances, seriously,” she said.