PENANGITES at large are keeping their fingers crossed that the ‘renewed’ movement control order (MCO) starting today until May 23 will help to break the chain of infections.
After a series of MCO-style lockdowns that have been implemented since last year, many businesses, small traders, and stakeholders from various sectors have been badly affected.
The tourism and hospitality industry, as we all know, is bleeding badly, particularly with the banning of inter-district and inter-state travel.
Some businesses are facing daunting tasks to recover from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which shows no sign of abating.
Although the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme kicked off in February this year, the surge in Covid-19 cases has prompted many people to be extra cautious and adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place.
Buletin Mutiara today managed to speak to several people for their views following the implementation of MCO 3.0.
For shopkeeper Chan Chin Deng, 52, he said his business has been hugely affected since the first MCO implementation last year.
“I have been selling dry products at this market for the past three years and my business has felt the pinch ever since the first lockdown last year.
“The current health situation amid the ongoing pandemic in the country is ‘very alarming’ with the rising of active cases coupled with deaths.
“If we do not play our part well, we might end up in a bleak situation. We don’t want to see our country facing such alarming situation.
“Although this round of MCO is going to be tough for all of us, we need to accept the reality.
“Health comes first and I hope all of us will continue to follow SOPs,” he said when met at the Chowrasta Market today.
Chowrasta Market management supervisor Zainol Abidin Omar said the market is strictly complying with the SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections.
“As the first day of MCO gets underway today, the crowd at the market is under control so far as we strictly monitor the people’s movements.
“On our part, we allow about 20 to 30 people to enter market at one time and every market-goer needs to adhere to SOPs.
“In this round of MCO, we really need to step up our efforts to curb the rising cases or else all our initiatives will go down the drain.
“This is a very challenging time for us and we need to make sure we can successfully break the chain.
“Lastly, let’s stay at home and be safe during this upcoming festival period,” he said.
Cake seller Ong Jeng Teik, 70, said his income has dropped drastically by about 70%.
“It’s unavoidable at this period of time. Fortunately in this market, the people are following SOPs in a proper manner for the sake of everyone.
“This is a critical period and everyone of us must do our part,” Ong said.
Meanwhile, on the mainland especially in Central Seberang Perai (SPT) and South Seberang Perai (SPS) that fall under MCO, everything seems to be going smoothly during the first day.
Not many vehicles were seen, even during the morning peak hours on the major roads in Seberang Jaya and Perai heading towards the Penang Bridge.
Authorities such as police officers and personnel from the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), Malaysian Volunteer Corps (Rela) and the Malaysian Armed Forces could be seen manning roadblocks at several areas in SPT and SPS, including along the border of Penang-Kedah, to monitor the movement of vehicles coming in and out of the state.
A check by Buletin Mutiara at several wet markets in SPT and SPS, such as in Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam and Permatang Pauh, found that there were fewer market-goers doing their groceries.
They still practised physical distancing as well as wore face masks while doing their marketing.
Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) enforcement officers were also on duty at the markets early in the morning.
Every market-goer has his or her body temperature checked by the MBSP officer before being allowed to enter the market.
They were also required to scan the QR code or write down their names before entering for contact tracing purposes.
The enforcement officers also allowed only a certain number of people to enter the market at any one time to prevent overcrowding.
Most of the markets also have only one entrance and one exit.
A vegetable seller in a market in Seberang Jaya, Tai Chin Hock, 70, is hopeful that the current MCO could end early.
“If the MCO period is extended, I am afraid that it will give a negative impact to the small traders like me.
“Furthermore, I also have used up 80% of my savings to cover the losses during the first MCO last year.
“So, I cannot afford to suffer any losses again.
“Thus, I hope everyone will follow the SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19 and end this MCO,” said Tai, who has been selling vegetables for almost 20 years.
For chicken seller Azaini Ahmad, 55, she is grateful that despite the reimplementation of MCO, her business is still brisk.
“So far, many customers still show up at my stall today.
“Most probably they want to stock up for the upcoming Hari Raya celebration this week.
“And I managed to sell about 50 to 60 chickens per day.
“But still, I hope the Federal Government could end the MCO early if the cases in Penang are under control again,” said Azaini, a single mother who has been in the poultry business for more than 10 years.
Meanwhile, several recreational places such as Taman Tunku in Seberang Jaya, Upcycle Park in Bandar Perda and MBSP Sports Complex in Jalan Betek, Bukit Mertajam are closed to the public starting from today until end of MCO.
The majority of the eateries, including fast food outlets in SPT and SPS, remain open for business. However, only takeaways are allowed.
Story by Edmund Lee and Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud and Chan Kok Kuan