GEORGE TOWN: More Malaysians are going outdoors for workouts and to catch the sun now that the country is moving towards endemicity.

       Former graphic designer Tan Hock Leong, 60, said he noticed more people exercising at parks since the easing of movement restrictions.

       “I believe more people understand the importance of building a stronger immune system.

       “About 50 of us will gather here for our morning exercise daily.

       “Most of us are above 50 years and there are even more who join us on weekends.

       “We do a mixture of dance and weight training for about an hour every day as everyone wants to be fit and healthy,” he told The Star at the Taman Sri Nibong park.

       Tan said their instructor Agness Chua would lead the session every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and sometimes on Sunday.

       “We will follow her YouTube video on days when she is not available.

       “It is good as we can sweat a lot throughout the one hour.

       “To ensure everyone is safe and healthy, we observe physical distancing and only take off our masks during the exercise.

       “The police also come to monitor us from time to time,” he added.

       Retired civil servant Simon Aw Yeong, 65, said he would practise jiamusi (stepping exercise) at the park every day without fail.

       “Since the SOP (standard operating procedure) relaxation, there are more people joining us as they know the importance of staying healthy.

       “We have over 70 different jiamusi exercises so it is always interesting.

       “It feels safe exercising at a park as it is an open area and we enjoy the morning sunlight.

       “All of us have been fully vaccinated and received our booster shots.

       “Once we finish our exercise, all members will automatically put on their face masks before leaving.

       “We make sure that every member is at least 1m away from each other throughout the session,” he said.

       Aw Yeong set up the group with his wife Sharon Ban, 63, five years ago.

       The group has between 80 and 100 members who are mostly senior citizens, with only a few who are 40 years and above.

       “We usually start at 6.50am and end the session around 8.30am. If it rains, we will do it at a clubhouse nearby,” he said.

       Aw Yeong added that they stopped for about a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Test engineer Jhun Silva, 48, was also out playing basketball in the park with his two-year-son Immanuel Kobe.

       “I usually take my son to the park or the beach on weekends as he had been cooped up at home for quite some time.

       “He is interested in basketball and has been telling us that he wants to try out the sport.

       “We live nearby, so my wife and I would take him here to experience the nature and to unwind.

       “The park is big and it is open air, so we feel safe letting him run around freely here,” he said.