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First half of 2020 is really an enduring and eventful 6 months, now we’re at the tail-end of it, are we bracing for a better time ahead? With the slow and cautious relaxing of movement control order (MCO) in Malaysia, it definitely seems so. However, we need to play our active part in adhering to various SOPs laid out by the relevant government agencies and maintaining our social distance in public area. Not to forget ensuring we are vigilant about personal health and safety at all times. 

Being a part of the wedding industry, me and my fellow colleagues have been waiting patiently for the approved SOP in order to operate safely and reliably for our esteemed clients, teams and partners. With the recent announcement by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob – Senior Minister (Security), wedding events are allowed be held beginning 1 July 2020.

What are the events in-scope and how do we go about organizing and executing it? Let me share with you our findings basing on the news and documents we’ve sighted following the announcement. 

1. What are the wedding events in-scope? Rejoice folks, as mostly all related wedding events are a go i.e. wedding receptions, engagement parties and tea ceremonies. 

2. Organizing wedding events during this period involve some additional steps that are a safety requirement to you and your guests, it will not be much of a hassle if it’s planned in advanced and following the shared standard operating procedures (SOPs): 

-Maximum of 250 people in wedding events: 

Planner of such social events must register their guests and reminding them to practice social distancing on-site. A maximum of 250 guests are allowed to attend. For you who has been planning on a smaller scale of wedding events, such rules are still applicable and it may even be a consideration for some couples to plan for a smaller intimate do. 

-Golden rules of 3 to 5 hours: 

“We have decided to put a limit to how long these events can be held, which is between three and five hours. We believe the time given is sufficient to host events.” – as announced by the minister recently. These timings are sufficient to host wedding events given what we’ve seen before pandemic, so it’s still within the norm. However, do ask with your wedding planner team on what will be the most efficient timing required & workaround to fit in all the agenda for your big day. 

-You will be served: 

Sumptuous and delicious eats, that’s a pre-requisite of wedding events. Nothing has changed here; guests will still be served at table by venue waiters. So sit back relax and enjoy the feast. For buffet spread, adherence to social distancing will require such spread be served at table as well, so say goodbye to the queues and enjoy the buffet spread, served to you. 

-Make sure you are registered and cleared before entering venue: 

All personnel at wedding events venue will need to have their temperature checked before entering. Registration will be conducted via MySejahtera app or recorded manually. Personnel with body temperature of over 37.5 degrees Celsius and/or displaying symptoms may be prevented from entering. Do adhere to the requirement and for planner, it’ll be good to include this in your pre-event communication to guests, to ensure they are aware and come prepared, plus to manage the queue on the event day, 

-Keep your mask on – always: 

“Those with symptoms such as cough and flu are advised not to attend social gatherings and it is best if everyone present have a mask on.” – reminded by the minister recently. Wearing a mask is definitely the new normal when we’re out and about from our residence. We are being responsible to ourselves and to others by wearing a mask at social gatherings such as wedding events. This action will help to prevent one from catching on or spreading the virus further; especially for those who are asymptomatic. 

As an active business in the industry, the recent SOPs announcement by the government is definitely a welcomed good news to me and my colleagues. We are now able to commence on building our affected business from where we left off, we are elated mostly because we can now work closely again with your clients and prospects to plan and realize for their special days in life – their wedding events. 

I am eager to pick up my camera gears, meeting up with my clients to reinstate the many photography sessions that has been put-off/rescheduled. We are now embarking on a new normal, new processes that we have never seen/experienced before. 

Though we may have to remain our distance during photography and wedding events to ensuring safety of our loved ones and the teams that we work with, I believe that the bond, the trust and the encouragement that we have for everyone involve to complete the tasks at hand, will only make us stronger – and safer in unprecedented times like these.


Reference

update: 29June2020