IPOH: The Omicron wave may be a threat but that’s not going to stop many who are celebrating Chinese New Year from going back to their hometown here for a reunion.

       Many Malaysians working abroad have decided to “balik kampung” but at the same time, they are ensuring that all safety precautions are adhered to.

       Data analyst Sally Kuan, 28, who works in Singapore, said she would abide by standard operating procedure throughout her journey home.

       “It has been more than a year since I went home. I have planned for my trip since the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) was announced last November.

       “I have decided to clear my annual leave and will be home for a month,” she said.

       Kuan added that although the number of Omicron cases was rising, she would ensure she would be safe.

       “I will be double-masked from the airport until I get home. I will also sanitise my hands and avoid crowded areas.

       “Although I am concerned about the more infectious Omicron variant, the symptoms don’t seem to be too serious.

       “Since I have also gotten my booster shot, I think it should be safe to travel,” she said.

       Research manager Kay Chen, 27, who works in Hong Kong, is also back for the Chinese New Year after two years and feeling happy about it.

       “I will be home for one-and-a-half months. I consider myself lucky because my job in Hong Kong allows me to work from home in Malaysia.

       “My last trip was in February 2020. It has been so long.

       “I think we need to carry on with our lives, because it has been more than two years. We have to accept that the virus may always be around.

       “Also, with this pandemic, I have learned to appreciate my family more and value the time I get to spend with them, especially now that my grandparents are getting old,” she said.

       Chen said she wanted to be home for the festival last year, but decided to put her plans on hold due to the high number of Covid-19 cases.

       “Malaysia was hit very hard by Covid-19 in early 2021. I decided to come home this year because it doesn’t look like the pandemic will end any time soon.

       “It took me less than a month to plan for this trip, from buying the air tickets, booking hotels (both in Malaysia and Hong Kong) for quarantine, getting my booster shot, to getting the Covid-19 test.

       “I underwent quarantine for seven days in Malaysia when I arrived at the KL International Airport (KLIA); and I will have to quarantine for 21 days in Hong Kong when I go back.

       “I quarantined in a hotel in KL because I didn’t want take risk my parents’ contracting any virus from me.

       “A week before my trip, I received my third dose of vaccination in Hong Kong,” she said.

       A business executive in Singapore who wished to be known as Alexandra, 28, said: “I have been planning for my trip home since three months ago.

       “Since I have received my booster shot, I feel calmer now. I followed all SOP strictly as I am worried about my elderly parents,” she said.

       “I was also home for Chinese New Year last year but it was a tedious process as I had to go through the seven-day quarantine.

       “With the VTL, I will get to spend more time with my family. I will be home for more than two weeks and I can’t wait to meet my family and friends.

       “I will make sure we practise good hygiene and adhere to safety measures always,” she said.