IN the early days of the movement control order (MCO) to fight the spread of Covid-19, a hypermarket was usually one of the most crowded and busiest places as shoppers flocked to it to buy their daily necessities.
The majority of them also did not take any preventive measures, such as wearing face masks and practising social distancing when doing their shopping.
Some of them also indulged in a panic buying frenzy due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
However, as the nation enters its 24th day of the MCO period today, the compliance rate among the customers is improving each day.
A check by Buletin Mutiara at several hypermarkets in Seberang Perai saw the shoppers there do not need to undergo a long queue to get into the grocery area.
The majority of them also were seen wearing face masks and practising the social distancing order.
Buletin Mutiara managed to approach some of the market-goers and below are their views:
Nur Syazliana Soid (18, shopper)
“From my own observation, I could see that the situation has changed a lot if compared to the early days of the MCO enforcement.
“Before this, I could see some families of three to four members going out together for their groceries although the government has only allowed the head of a family to leave the house.
“Apart from that, I could see some were involved in panic buying, taking all the food and groceries in large quantities due to a sudden fear of a forthcoming shortage.
“But still, as a concerned citizen, I still carry out my part to advise and explain to them that it is not nice to do so. I asked them to please think of others who are less fortunate.
“Luckily, some of them listened to me. Nowadays, I can barely see any shopper in a panic buy.
“This shows that the people’s level of understanding is getting better each day during the MCO period.”
Nor Baini Mohamad Noh (29, shopper)
“What I notice the most during the MCO period is the practice of social distancing in the hypermarket.
“In the early days of the enforcement, I was really worried whenever I wanted to go to the hypermarket to buy some groceries.
“The people at that time did not even know about social distancing and most of them also did not wear any face mask.
“They stood close to each other. Just imagine what would have happened if one of them was carrying the disease?
“I am glad that nowadays the hypermarket management has already placed markers on the floor to remind us of the 1m social distancing.
“And from what I observed, the people are practising social distancing.
“Some of the hypermarket managements also give us free face masks to protect ourselves.
“This really helps us shoppers to feel safe whenever we are doing the groceries.”
Cherry Tan (20, shopper)
“I notice that nowadays, the people are more complying with the MCO enforcement which is a good indicator for all of us to curb the spread of the disease.
“Not only at the hypermarkets but also other places as well.
“We could see the majority of them wearing face masks all the time, bringing their own hand sanitisers and practising social distancing while doing their shopping and many more.
“This shows that the peoples’ awareness during the MCO period is good and I hope such momentum will continue until the government decides to end the MCO.”
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis