THE conditional movement control order (CMCO) may have dampened the Deepavali celebration in Penang, but the people generally understand the importance of the CMCO to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Fifty-seven-year-old Vijay Kumar said this year’s Deepavali celebration would be the ‘gloomiest’ celebration he’s ever had.
“We are unable to visit our parents who are staying in Ipoh and they are also unable to visit us in Penang.
“This year, we will just be going to the temple to pray before we head back home.
“We understand the purpose behind the implementation of CMCO. We have to curb the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
All states in Peninsular Malaysia, except for Kelantan, Perlis and Pahang, are under the CMCO from Nov 9 until Dec 6, as previously announced by the Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
A check by Buletin Mutiara found that there were fewer people thronging the Butterworth and Bagan Dalam shopping areas to do their last-minute shopping.
A shopper Suhasini Ramachandran, 27, said her family would have to do away with the gathering.
“We used to welcome about 70 friends and family members during the Deepavali celebration. They came from different states.
“This year, we will only be celebrating Deepavali with our close family members because of the CMCO and the pandemic.
“We pray that things will get back to normal for the celebration next year,” she said.
The Covid-19 pandemic has also hugely impacted businesses.
Saree trader Naneeneswary Sathivello, 29, said most people were concerned about the Covid-19 outbreak.
“Some customers prefer to shop online instead of going to physical stores,” she said.
Waniteswary Muniady, 37, who sells decorative garlands and gifts, said most shoppers were on a tight budget.
“The pandemic has hit people financially. We can see fewer customers and they bought fewer items.
“We hope that the Government can do more to help small businesses like us,” Waniteswary said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis