LABUAN, Jan 21 — Labuan will continue to hold its Federal Territory (FT) Day celebrations this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with 30 programmes lined up in compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP).

Labuan Corporation acting chief executive officer Rithuan Ismail said the celebrations, themed ‘Keluarga Malaysia’#SHWP2022, #WilayahKita #Our City Our Home’, would begin with the Tik Tok Challenge 2022 from Jan 24-Feb 28 and the Federal Territory lighting of Labuan town from Jan 30-Feb 28.

“Although the celebrations will be conducted in the new normal environment, adhering to the COVID-19 SOPs with controllable gatherings, it will be meaningful as we celebrate again after two years due to the pandemic,” he told a press conference at Wisma Perbadanan Labuan here today.

Rithuan said that other programmes included the hoisting of the Federal Territory flag on Feb 3, Yasin recital, ‘doa selamat’ and Keluarga Malaysia exhibition (Feb 3), sales of car park coupon and discount of parking summonses (Feb 4-28), sports and musical events (Feb 5-28) and Kenduri Wilayah on Feb 24.

He said all sports events participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“For participants from outside of Labuan, the organisers are encouraged to impose (if necessary) at least a COVID-19 saliva test before they participate in any of the sports events,” he said, adding that all the programmes are held after receiving advice from the National Security Council (MKN).

“As we are concerned with the possible spread of COVID-19 infection, we will only allow 50 per cent capacity at most of the venues, like for the musical event. We also won’t allow walk-in audience into programme premises like the Financial Park Convention Hall for the Battle of the Band,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency