THIS year's Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration was exceptionally special since Malaysia began the endemic transition phase of Covid-19 on April 1, 2022.
Muslims were excited to celebrate the festivities after two years of complying with the many restrictions imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19.
They were able to celebrate the occasion with utmost enjoyment and with a sense of freedom from restrictions.
Nevertheless, this situation still warrants us to be cautious as the Covid-19 virus is still in our midst.
Malaysia has entered the transition to the endemic phase and people are still learning and adapting to living with the Covid-19 virus.
In this regard, are we confident enough to be able to maintain the SOP of Covid-19 properly?
Most of the SOP restrictions have been lifted, including those on operation hours of businesses, no physical distancing to perform prayers that were previously enforced to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Thus, Malaysians are allowed to carry out more activities, including the obligatory and voluntary ibadah in the mosque, shopping and dining out.
The easing of movement restrictions does not imply that the threat of Covid-19 has passed. Everyone must continue to adhere to the Covid-19 SOPs.
The freedom that has been granted should be accompanied by preventive measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
What about the community's involvement in ensuring that no new variants or clusters emerge during future festive gatherings? The public must be aware that the Covid-19 epidemic still exists.
Locally, Covid-19 has infected 4.4 million Malaysians so far and caused more than 35,000 deaths (data as of April, 2022).
In light of the situation, the people should be mindful of the SOPs when visiting friends and relatives.
While the effects of the Omicron variant were not as severe as those of previous virus variants, it was still triggered by Covid-19. It is also capable of infecting others.
Everyone must understand the significance of the SOP and practise self-control in preventing any virus transmission.
People should be concerned about the importance of self-discipline. They should ensure personal hygiene and cleanliness, wear a face mask when going out and ensure they hand wash regularly.
Adopting such practices will ensure a healthy lifestyle. Indeed, many believe that being infected with Covid-19 with the Omicron variant is not serious because they only have mild symptoms, while some are completely asymptomatic.
However, the public must be aware that not everyone may suffer the same symptoms, particularly those with comorbidities, the elderly and children.
This is also a time to be moderate in our spending. The people must be prudent to cope with the rising cost of living, particularly with the increase in the price of goods. They should refrain from spending so much that they are willing to go into debt.
This clearly contradicts Allah's words in the Quran (surah al-Furqan: 67), which states: "And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate."
Hence, Muslims should not contravene these commandments by engaging in wasteful and conspicuous consumption.
Everyone must learn to live with Covid-19 in the least disruptive way by adopting public health measures to protect themselves, their families and communities.
In addition, Covid-19 pandemic management needs to shift from reliance on government interventions to individual responsibility and community solidarity.
Now is the time to reflect on ourselves, so that we can grasp the immense benefits and blessings that have been offered.
The writer is a fellow at the Centre for Science and Environment Studies, Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM)
