JENJAROM, Jan 4 (Sin Chew Daily) — The annual lantern and floral festival organized by Dong Zen Temple in conjunction with Chinese New Year is under way despite uncertainties from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The temple implements a set of strict preventive measures and standard operating procedures for members of the public to comply while visiting the festival during the festive season.

Chief Abbess of the temple Ven Jue Cheng, who is also the Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, said the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia is still the main concern for all at this moment.

Despite the uncertainties, Dong Zen Temple adopts all precautionary measures to ensure public safety.

The number of visitors will be limited with fixed route set, and sanitizing procedures will be enhanced for visitors.

In addition, details of visitors such as name, car plate number, time of visit will also be registered before they are allowed into the temple.

Ven Jue Cheng said many feel bored at home after complying with long periods of lockdown. As visiting the lantern festival organized by the temple is free of charge and it also offers blessings, many will visit the temple with their families.

The temple received more than a million of visitors each year during the past lantern festivals.

 Ven Jue Cheng predicts that the number of visitors may be down to only 50,000 this year, or 5% of previous years' crowds due to the precautionary measures imposed to limit visitors.

She also said the lantern festival in 2020 was also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, where the crowd was reduced to just 200,000.

The temple will also launch a virtual guided tour of the lantern festival if the temple were to remain closed during Chinese New Year.

Members of the public are still able to visit the lantern festival through virtual reality technology, she said.

A total of 13 local artists have been invited to paint the eight arches erected in front of the school of Buddhism within the temple compound. Each arch features a pair of samaneras in different moves and expressions.

A calligraphy exhibition by renowned artist Goh Ah Hong will also be held at the temple in conjunction with the lantern festival, said Ven You Hang.

The exhibition will be centered on two major themes: cow and lotus.

The lantern and floral festival is scheduled to be held from February 11 to 28 at Dong Zen Temple.