SEBERANG Perai folks are taking the standard operating procedures (SOPs) even more seriously as Penang has recorded a few more cases of Covid-19 for the past few days.
A check by Buletin Mutiara at several wet markets on the mainland saw market-goers still practising the physical distancing order and wearing face masks while doing their shopping.
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 also need to write down their name or scan the QR code before entering.
The enforcement officers also are controlling the crowd at the marketplace, allowing only a certain number of people to enter at any one time to prevent overcrowding.
Most of the markets also have only one entrance and one exit.
A vegetable seller in a market in Seberang Jaya, Aziz Hamid, 65, said despite an increase of the Covid-19 cases in the state, the majority of the customers did not let their guard down and still adhering to the SOPs such as maintaining physical distancing and sanitising their hands.
“If I see a customer not following the SOP such as not wearing a face mask properly or keeping a safe distance from each other, I will advise them. The virus is really dangerous; we cannot see it with our naked eye and there is no vaccine yet.
“Thus, only by adhering to the SOPs, can we beat this pandemic together.
“Besides that, I also provide hand sanitiser at my stall,” said Aziz, who has been selling vegetables for almost 20 years.
Over at the shopping malls on the mainland, not so many people were spotted doing their groceries today.
However, there were markers on the floor to guide them to keep a safe distance of at least a metre from one another.
The mall management also conducted a body temperature check on every customer and provided hand sanitisers for them to use.
Regular cleaning exercises are also conducted by the mall management to keep everyone safe.
MBSP councillor Ngoh Cheng Hai commended the Seberang Perai community for continuously showing great support and examples by complying with the strict SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“From my own observation, the majority of them such as traders, hawkers, mall management and the public are taking the SOPs very seriously to ensure themselves and the customers are safe and healthy.
“And hopefully, these efforts will continue so that Seberang Perai can be back to the green zone once again.
“After all, everyone needs to play their part and cannot leave the matter to the authority only or else we won’t succeed in our fight against this virus,” Ngoh said.
At press time, Seberang Perai currently has seven active cases of Covid-19 with north Seberang Perai district having three cases, central Seberang Perai (two cases) and south Seberang Perai (two cases).
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad