THE recent spike in Covid-19 cases has prompted many of the Bayan Baru Food Court hawkers to take the standard operating procedures (SOPs) seriously.
This came after the country recorded 691 cases yesterday.
Bayan Baru Food Court Association chairman Roy Ang Poh Huat said the customers understand the need for wearing face mask and maintaining physical distancing to reduce the risk of infections.
“It’s crucial to abide by the SOPs. There is no escaping this.
“Each table is marked for customers to sit accordingly, and so far, we don’t see customers failing to abide by the social distancing,” said Ang when interviewed by Buletin Mutiara at the Bayan Baru Food Court today.
Ang added that although quite a number of hawkers and traders are still operating on a thin profit margin, they remain positive. They also ensure that SOPs are adhered to while operating their stalls.
Sri Indian Food stall owner S. Shri Aghilan said his shop experienced slow business ever since the movement control order (MCO) was implemented in March this year as most of his customers were factory workers nearby the complex.
“I used to have customers who came to my shop daily, but now they only come once a week because they work from home.
“As for SOPs, most of them are cautious and are strictly following it,” said Shri.
According to Poh Hock Cafe owner, who is known as Stanley, the majority of his patrons were complying with the SOPs.
“Some of them, however, do not follow the physical distancing rule. But overall, the people are adhering to the SOPs.
“Every one of us must play our role to curb the spread of the virus.
“We have no choice now but to adhere to the SOPs in the current situation.
“If the Federal Government plans to reintroduce MCO, I have no choice but to follow it.
“Businesses and profits are important but human lives must also be taken into account,” he said.
Chicken rice seller Chow Wai Cheng also concurred with Stanley, saying that the SOPs’ compliance rate was excellent at the food court.
She, however, said there were still a handful of patrons disobeying the SOPs.
“We can only try our best to advise them,” she said, adding that her income had dropped by about 50% ever since the MCO started.
Story by Edmund Lee and Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting