WITH Covid-19 cases on the upswing, many residents in Seberang Perai are now more cautious as they go about their daily routines.
Public swimming pools seem to see a big drop in attendance, apparently out of visitors’ fear of getting infected by the virus.
A check by Buletin Mutiara today, in fact, showed that the MBSP Swimming Centre near Kampung Bengal in Butterworth was empty in the morning session.
Pool manager Heg Kheng Giap, 51, said even though the pool was open as usual, there were no visitors as the public may still think it is still not allowed to operate.
He said the pool is open from 8am to 11am from Tuesday to Friday, 8am to 11pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, and closed on Monday.
“The swimming pool is open as usual, with an entrance fee of RM2 for children and RM3 for adults.
“According to the standard operating procedure (SOP), a maximum of 20 visitors are allowed to enter the pool at any one time. They need to observe physical distancing and other safety rules,” Heg said.
A local resident, Muhammad Hafidz Adnan, in his 30s, said there is a need for more aggressive promotion to attract visitors to the public swimming pool.
He said although there was a signboard of the MBSP swimming pool, it was located close to nearby flats which may give an impression that the pool is a private residential one.
“One more thing; parking is a problem. There are not enough parking lots as visitors have to share them with visitors to the Butterworth Digital Library,” he said.
Muhammad Hafidz said he noticed the level of SOP compliance in Seberang Perai is very high, complimenting the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) and the state government for the new normal measures taken during this Covid-19 pandemic.
Over at the MBSP Robina Eco Park near Teluk Air Tawar, visitors were seen observing the SOPs, like scanning the QR code at the entrance for contact tracing as required.
A visitor, Suffian Saad, a 34-year-old factory employee, said it is to everyone’s benefit and good health that all must abide by the SOPs issued by the Health Ministry and the MBSP.
MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mahmud has also said the council has stepped up disinfection works at public recreation areas twice a week.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis