FOOD stall operators in several public markets on the island and mainland have said the new operating hours under the tightened MCO 3.0, are likely to worsen their already affected businesses.
According to those interviewed by Buletin Mutiara this morning, a glimpse of what can be expected throughout the movement control order (MCO 3.0) with tightened standard operating procedures (SOPs) starting today (May 25) was evident after the stalls recorded low counts of customers.
One of the tightened SOPs throughout this MCO 3.0 would be that all economic sectors, including restaurants and hawker stalls, are only allowed to operate from 8am to 8pm, with the exception of pharmacies (8am-10pm), night markets (4pm-10pm) and highway petrol stations (24 hours).
Faridah Shamsuddin, 58, who sells nasi lemak at the Bayan Baru Market food court on the island, pleaded to the authorities to reinstate the initial operating hours from 6am onwards instead of 8am.
She has been operating there for 10 years now.
“I sell nasi lemak, and it is the kind of food people would usually eat for breakfast. Initially, I would start preparing at 5am and would be ready to sell from 6am onwards.
“As far as I know, before this new operating hours, people truly followed the SOPs while buying their breakfast.
“At least I was able to garner some income, but now with the new operating hours, I have fewer customers. Business has dropped tremendously, even on the first day with the tightened SOPs.
“We are only able to make money early in the morning as most of my customers are those working morning shifts. They would usually stop by, buy their food and head to work.
“it is hoped the authorities can look into this matter and readjust the timing,” Faridah told Buletin Mutiara.
Another food stall operator, S. Devanai, 53, who sells traditional Indian breakfast such as dosa, idli, vada and others, echoed Faridah’s concerns over this issue.
“As my customers are mostly from factories and those working in office buildings around this area, they would come as early as 6.30am to buy breakfast.
“Since we are only allowed to start selling from 8am only, how are we to generate any kind of income?
“The other food operators and I sell our respective food at reasonable rates, and that is why customers love to buy from us.
“After all, it is always good to have early breakfast. So, I hope the Federal Government will put some thought into this matter and not implement measures that could further hurt our already shrinking businesses,” Devanai said.
Meanwhile on the mainland, several wet markets and eateries such as in Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam, Permatang Pauh and Butterworth saw fewer people today.
Software developer Devaroopan Ravichandran, 44, said he had been limiting his movement ever since the daily Covid-19 cases started increasing rapidly.
“It is frightening to witness the daily cases exceeding the 5,000-mark every day.
“Because of this, I would only go to the market as and when it is necessary to buy some groceries.
“But most of them time, I am home since my company has allowed its staff to work from home due to the pandemic.
“I do not go anywhere as I am too worried to leave my home because my elderly parents are living with me.
“I do not want to risk exposing them to the virus,” he said, adding that he would only buy groceries once or twice a week.
Food stall owner Sharifah Said Darus, 58, suggested that restaurants should be allowed to operate longer hours.
“At least, the Federal Government can set the operating hours from 6am to 9pm instead of from 8am to 8pm now.
“With this, it will allow more working groups to buy some food first before entering their offices. And also, to give them more time to buy food before heading home.
“If not, this will negatively further affect our businesses that have already been severely affected due to this pandemic,” said Sharifah, who has been in the same business for 20 years.
Another food stall owner Faridah Aisyah Halim, 47, said she also hoped the government would allow eateries to operate for a longer period.
“Closing at 8pm is a bit too early, perhaps 9pm or 10pm would be good.
“It would be hard for those who are working to get their dinner if the eateries need to close by 8pm,” she said.
Story by Kevin Vimal and Riadz Akmal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi and Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar