3 Hygiene Habits to Follow During Hari Raya Visits

Ohmyhome

Written By: Henny Maherah

The extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) until 9 June 2020 has left many feeling anxious about restrictions on Hari Raya festivities in Malaysia. In response, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri announced that festive home visits would be allowed during the annual holiday.

Strict Regulation of MCO Exemption for Hari Raya

Before you start rejoicing, know that the MCO exemption comes with a set of clauses.

  1. Festive visits are only allowed on the first day of Hari Raya, 24 May 2020.
  2. Interstate visits are prohibited. Roadblocks will be deployed at state borders.
  3. Open houses are prohibited. The number of guests allowed in each household is limited in accordance to the housing size.
  4. Visitors are limited to immediate family members only.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri announced emphasised that despite the exemption of MCO issued by the state, health and safety risks still remain the responsibility of citizens.

While it is understandable that many would be eager to seize this opportunity to visit their family, safe distancing measures are still necessary so as not to compromise public health. This is especially true for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

Are you expecting guests this Hari Raya? Here are ways you can practice safe distancing and hygiene practices.

3 Effective Safety and Hygienic Practices During Hari Raya Visits

1. Start at Your Front Door

3-hygiene-habits-follow-during-hari-raya-visits-hand-sanitisers

As guests normally remove their shoes before entering your abode, offering hand sanitisers by the entrance would be an effective way for guests to cleanse their hands of any bacteria transmitted from their shoes or external surfaces.

An alternative is to guide them to the restroom upon entrance for guests to wash their hands before greetings and festivities begin. Just make sure to sanitise door and faucet handles afterward.

2. Practice Food Safety

3-hygiene-habits-follow-during-hari-raya-visits/3-hygiene-habits-follow-during-hari-raya-visits-cookies

An integral part of Hari Raya is the wide selection of pastries and treats readily available. To avoid cross-contamination, make a note of the number of guests who are coming and serve individual portions instead of large platters.

Switch out large cookie jars for personalised plates for each family. By reducing heavy contact of shared surfaces and items, inter-family transmission can be minimised. This would have an added benefit of minimizing food waste too.

3. Assign Separate Areas for Adults and Children

3-hygiene-habits-follow-during-hari-raya-visits/3-hygiene-habits-follow-during-hari-raya-visits-designated-spaces

Following the one-metre social distancing rule within the confines of our home might seem like a stretch. An alternative solution is to create designated spaces for children and adults to gather and socialise. While the children get to retreat into their own space, adults can catch up with meaningful conversations at the table. This reduces the concentration of guests in one setting, encouraging distancing within your home.

These simple changes might not seem much, but every bit goes a long way in safeguarding our family. You can still have familial bonding while keeping everyone in your house safe this Hari Raya.

Ultimately, the best way we can protect the health of our family is to avoid physical visits entirely. Senior Minister Ismail Sabri emphasises the need to practice safe distancing to prevent further cases of transmission. During this festive season, it is important for us to protect the long-term safety of our beloved nation.


Looking for other ways to spend family time from the comfort of your home this festive season? Learn how to engage with our elderly through technology. Let’s not forget our significant others too who may not be with us in person this Hari Raya.

Source: Malay Mail

Subscribe Now

Get a notification every time we upload a new blog post.

SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Featured Blogs

Your one-stop guide for must-know HDB tips