Family reunion rules relaxed as NSC updates CNY SOP yet again
The National Security Council (NSC) updated its Chinese New Year standard operating procedure (SOP) under the movement control order (MCO) again, this time relaxing some rules including on family reunion.
The National Unity Ministry, in a statement today, said the NSC has agreed to allow reunion dinners at home involving family members from different households on Chinese New Year eve (Feb 11).
However, it said the visiting family members must live within a 10km radius of the reunion venue and must not cross state or district borders.
Previously, the NSC said the Chinese New Year family reunion is only limited to members of the same household.
The National Unity Ministry said the NSC had also agreed to prayer activities at places of worship on Feb 11, Feb 12 and Feb 19, subject to strict SOPs...
The National Security Council (NSC) updated its Chinese New Year standard operating procedure (SOP) under the movement control order (MCO) again, this time relaxing some rules including on family reunion.
The National Unity Ministry, in a statement today, said the NSC has agreed to allow reunion dinners at home involving family members from different households on Chinese New Year eve (Feb 11).
However, it said the visiting family members must live within a 10km radius of the reunion venue and must not cross state or district borders.
Previously, the NSC said the Chinese New Year family reunion is only limited to members of the same household.
The National Unity Ministry said the NSC had also agreed to prayer activities at places of worship on Feb 11, Feb 12 and Feb 19, subject to strict SOPs.
It was not allowed under the previous SOP.
Under the relaxed rules, the National Unity Ministry said a maximum of 30 people can be present at places of worship on the stated dates, in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.
It added that all those present must wear face masks and observe social distancing.
Prayer sessions will be capped to 30 minutes followed by another 30 minutes of sanitisation works.
The time window for prayers will be from 6am to 2pm.
It added that on Feb 19, households are also allowed to conduct prayers in front of their house, considering that it is a tradition for the Chinese people from the Hokkien community.
It added that unity officers from the ministry will help to ensure SOP compliance.
The National Unity Ministry later issued more details on the new SOP. Additional points are as follow:
- Reunion dinner only on Feb 11
- May only involve immediate family members (husband, wife, children and siblings)
- The gathering may not exceed 15 people
- Only two-person per vehicle allowed when travelling to the reunion
The original SOP had received brickbats for being nonsensical.
Among the original SOP included limiting family reunion gatherings to members of the same household - which is essentially the status quo.
It also banned visitations while at the same time imposing a gathering cap of 20 people per household, rendering the condition moot.
The NSC was also criticised for being culturally insensitive after it said the Chinese New Year SOP were for Feb 12 and Feb 13 - the first and second day of celebration.
In Chinese culture, Chinese New Year eve (Feb 11) is a significant day as family members would gather for their reunion dinner before ushering in the Chinese New Year the following day.
For Chinese people in the Hokkien community, the ninth day of Chinese New Year is also a significant day as they pray to the Jade Emperor (Bai Tian Gong).
Prayers are normally held at night of the eighth day (Feb 19 for this year) and extend past midnight.
Following the criticism, the NSC on Feb 5 updated the Chinese New Year SOP dates to Feb 11, 12 and 19.
On the same day, the National Unity Ministry also sought a review of the SOP, culminating in the new rules announced today.
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