MANY have expressed their wish to celebrate Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri in their hometowns after missing out on the celebration with their loved ones last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Even with warnings from experts over a possible fourth wave of Covid-19 infections should interstate travel be allowed, many have said they are willing to spend their own money to take Covid-19 swab tests before embarking on a balik kampung journey.
Faezatul Adilah A. Sabri, 27, who had missed celebrating Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri with her family in Kuantan last year, hoped the interstate travel ban would be lifted in time for her to make the trip back.
"Last year was my first time celebrating Aidilfitri without my parents or family.
"It was hard, but I understood then that it was what we needed to do to adapt to the new norms.
"However, it has been a year since the pandemic. I hope the Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations this year will be better and that the government will consider reopening state borders.
"Even with strict standard operating procedures (SOP) or even if I have to fork out my own money to do the RTK Covid-19 test, I am more than willing to comply," she told the New Straits Times.
A 28-year-old courier company manager based in Shah Alam, who wanted to be known only as Farah, said she was also willing to take extra precautions if it meant being able to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Ramadan with her loved ones.
"It's been a long time since I was able to go back to my hometown because of the pandemic.
"I am willing, even if it means having to be screened before going back as an extra precaution, as long as I am sure I am not going to bring home the virus with me."
Syed Ahmad Jufri, 27, a Bukit Jalil resident whose hometown is in Alor Star, Kedah, hoped the interstate travel ban would be lifted not just for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, but other festive celebrations, such as Gawai, Deepavali and Christmas, as well.
"But, of course, everything has to be done in accordance with the SOP. Especially for those who don't feel well enough to travel, they should be responsible and seek medical help before deciding to travel."
Syed Ahmad said it was much better to stay put than risk spreading the virus to their loved ones in the kampung.
"I think what is more important is how we need to learn and adapt to the situation presented to us.
"More people are getting vaccinated soon and hopefully by year end, we will achieve our target to at least vaccinate 65 per cent of the population.
"If the government decides to lift the interstate travel ban, then the public should at least cooperate and adhere to the SOP or risk seeing the daily infection numbers spike again."
However, some believe that it was best to sacrifice celebrating Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri with their families in their hometowns this year.
Nor Fadzeela Mohamad, 29, said it was best to stay put until the majority of the population had been vaccinated.
"There were numerous new clusters reported when the government allowed interstate travel some time ago.
"We have to admit that there will be those who don't strictly adhere to the SOP. I don't think it is wise for interstate travel to resume at the moment. We cannot afford another lockdown as some industries were already badly affected by the pandemic.
"Even if the government says they should be tested before going home, we have to acknowledge that not everybody can afford to do so. It will trigger other issues," she said.
Siti Nurbaizeera Mohammed Bahar, 31, said she would forgo celebrating Raya with her parents in Kedah as the situation was still worrying.
"We missed the celebrations last year and it was a surreal and sad experience. But I am willing to sacrifice missing the celebrations this year, seeing that the situation is still not stable.
"I don't think it is safe to travel. Although everyone is hoping for the interstate travel ban to be lifted, realistically, cases are still high and the Covid-19 death toll is on the rise.
"It's best to just stay put wherever you are until the situation is under control. Even if we are allowed to go home, there is no guarantee that everyone will follow the SOP, especially when we are with our immediate family members," she said.
Last week, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the probability of Malaysia entering a fourth wave of Covid-19 infections would hinge on the reopening of borders, the people's adherence to the SOP as well as the effectiveness of the National Covid-19 Vaccination Plan.
Epidemiologist Dr Malina Osman had, earlier this month, said should Malaysia experience the dreaded fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, it would most likely come from borders being reopened.
She believed the government should defer lifting interstate travel restrictions until 50 per cent of the 9.4 million population of at-risk groups in Phase 2 of the country's inoculation drive are vaccinated and active cases are manageable.
Dr Malina, who is an associate professor at Universiti Putra Malaysia, said should cases remain at four or five digits, it would be a gamble and could cripple the country's health services which are still coping with the effects and exhaustion from addressing the third wave, which has yet to end.