THE usual heavy traffic heading towards Air Itam Market has virtually not existed at all since barricades have been temporarily set up at two points by police to enforce the movement control order (MCO).
The police started to cordon off the road from yesterday, 13 days after the MCO was enforced. They set up barricades beside the Air Itam police station and also at the Kampung Pisang-Jalan Paya Terubong junction, allowing only residents nearby the marketplace to pass through.
This decision was taken to prevent a stream of vehicles from traversing the narrow road.
As a result, not so many people were seen at the market yesterday and today.
A check by Buletin Mutiara team showed that the market-goers have been aware of the blockades and on the importance of social distancing when they were at the market. Besides, many traders and hawkers were seen complying with certain measures as announced by the authorities.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang told Buletin Mutiara that the efforts by police, Penang Island City Council (MBPP), army and Civil Defence Department unit involved were much appreciated.
He said the traffic volume has been drastically reduced.
He pointed out that Air Itam Market serves the needs of those residents nearby in Paya Terubong and Bandar Baru Air Itam, or better known as Farlim.
“Therefore, I hope everyone would adhere to the MCO for the time being and avoid mingling at the marketplace,” he said.
Northeast district police chief ACP Soffian Santong yesterday told reporters that the blockades to the Air Itam Market would be conducted round the clock until the MCO ends.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Alvie Cheng