There's only slightly more than a week before the Gawai Dayak celebration but it doesn't look like the COVID-19 situation is getting any better.

Looks like the celebration will have to be a muted one, just like most other festivals and observations this year have been due to the pandemic.

The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has released a list of things that you can and cannot do during Gawai Dayak and here are some of the most important things you need to know.

Activities involving large groups are forbidden

Malay Mail reported that house visits, weddings, thanksgiving, engagements, anniversaries and inter-zone travel are totally banned during the Gawai Dayak celebration on June 1 and 2.

Any activities that involves social gatherings such as bathing babies in the stream, cockfight and telematches are also not allowed in line with the COVID-19 prevention SOPs.

This applies to all areas under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) and Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).

Family-only gatherings are allowed

According to the report, family-only gatherings will be allowed on the eve of Gawai celebrations.

“If it is in a longhouse setting in an EMCO area, the family must be confined to their own ‘bilek’, with no other residents of the longhouse invited," SDMC said in a statement.

For longhouses in CMCO areas, no more than 20 people can be present in a location approved by the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK).

Delivery of offerings to memorial poles will also be allowed but again, limited to 20 people. JKKK is reminded to monitor the situation to ensure SOPs are followed.

We hope everyone will adhere to the guidelines and have a safe Gawai celebration.