DUBBED as one of the toughest markets on the mainland to comply with the movement control order (MCO) since it came into force on March 18, the Mak Mandin Market almost got closed by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).
MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud had given a stern warning to the traders and shoppers that the market would be shut down if there is a lack of compliance with the MCO during his visit to the market on April 11.
Since then, the traders and market-goers have started to adhere to the MCO as the nation enters its 31st day of the enforcement today.
A check by Buletin Mutiara at the market today saw market-goers queuing up properly before entering the market.
It is observed that they also complied with social distancing by keeping a metre or so apart from one another while queuing up or purchasing groceries and necessary items.
Markers also have been placed on the floor to remind them to practise social distancing.
The majority of shoppers also could be seen wearing face masks all the time.
MBSP enforcement officers and police personnel were already on duty at the market early in the morning to ensure the crowd comply with the MCO.
MBSP councillor Khong Chee Seong said the compliance rate among the market-goers is improving each day since the council mayor paid his visit.
“From my observation, I notice there is a lot of improvement, especially in terms of social distancing among the shoppers.
“The situation is much better nowadays if compared to the early days of MCO.
“Traders also play their part by advising the market-goers to practise social distancing.
“This significant change shows that they had heeded the mayor’s order to comply with the MCO,” said Khong when he visited the market this morning.
According to Khong, Mak Mandin MPKK (Village Community Management Council) members have also done the repainting work of all the markers on the market floor to make it more visible to the market-goers.
“The MPKK also added the words ‘In’ and ‘Out’ in four different languages (Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil) on the market floor to indicate one point for entry and another point for exit.
“Hopefully, this will be easier for the shoppers from different races since the market only has one way in and another way out,” he added.
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal