THE first day of the reimplementation of the conditional movement control order (CMCO) went smoothly in Seberang Perai.
Not many vehicles were seen on the roads, even during morning peak hours on the major roads in Seberang Jaya and Perai heading towards the Penang Bridge.
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 on the mainland, including along the border of Penang-Kedah, to monitor the movement of vehicles coming in and out from the state.
All states in Peninsular Malaysia, except for Kelantan, Perlis and Pahang, are under CMCO from Nov 9 until Dec 6.
On Saturday (Nov 7), Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision to reimpose CMCO was made after the Health Ministry discovered a significant increase in Covid-19 positive cases as well as rate of infections in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor and Terengganu.
A check by Buletin Mutiara at several wet markets on the mainland, such as in Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam, Permatang Pauh and Butterworth, found that there were fewer market-goers doing their groceries.
They 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.
Meanwhile, several recreational places such as Taman Tunku in Seberang Jaya and Robina Eco Park in Teluk Ayer Tawar, Butterworth were almost empty. Only a few people were seen walking and jogging in the parks even though such activities are allowed during CMCO period.
Several supermarkets such as Tesco, Mydin Mall and Sunway Carnival Mall remain operational as usual, albeit a low turnout of shoppers.
It is also observed that there are enough food supplies for everyone and grocery items such as rice, bread, vegetables, cooking oil, instant noodles and dried food were all often restocked by the staff.
The majority of the eateries, including fast food outlets in Seberang Perai, remain open for business. However, fewer people were seen at dine-ins or takeaways.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis