THE Federal Government’s decision to allow five essential sectors to operate during the movement control order (MCO 2.0) to curb the Covid-19 pandemic as well as to ensure the country’s economic recovery process, has received multiple feedback.
The five broad sectors are manufacturing, construction, services, trade and distribution, as well as plantations and commodities.
Buletin Mutiara today approached several pharmacies and veterinary service providers to get their views during this trying period.
Siti Hajar Al-Robiyatul Mohd Amin, who works as a pharmacy assistant at Green River Pharmacy in Sungai Dua, said the business hours allowed by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) from 6am to 8pm every day has made a big difference compared to first MCO which was introduced last March.
“Although we’re still impacted, business is not as bad as the first MCO last year. Being able to operate until 8pm now has helped our business to keep going.
“The only drawback is that we have customers who would finish work only at 8pm. Which means it would be too late for them to purchase anything from us.
“Hence, we would like to propose to the Federal Government to consider extending the business hours to at least 8.30pm,” she said when interviewed by Buletin Mutiara today.
Meanwhile, Nur Amelina Abu Bakar, who works as a caretaker at Pets Village in Bayan Lepas, said business has dropped since MCO 2.0 was reimplemented.
“During CMCO, we would easily earn RM500 in a day, whereas now we only earn as much as RM100 in a day.
“Previously, we could operate until 10pm, but now we are allowed to open until only 8pm.
“The shorter operating hours has caused a drop in our business, and we hope the Federal Government will try and make it more favourable for business operators like us,” she said during the interview.
Operating for two years now, Pets Village provides services such as accommodation and grooming for cats.
Meanwhile, in Seberang Perai, most of the pharmacies and stores selling pet food, animal food and animal medicine are operating as usual based on the business hours allowed by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) from 6am to 8pm every day.
They have also taken some preventive measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections by controlling the number of customers entering their shops to prevent overcrowding, practising physical distancing and carrying out some disinfection works at their premises.
For pet shop owner Maisara Husin, 35, the current operating hours allowed by MBSP during the MCO is acceptable compared to the early days of the MCO in March last year.
“For last year, we could operate twice per week from only 8am to 2pm before they gradually lifted the restrictions.
“And our business was greatly affected during that time.
“So, when the Federal Government announced the reimplementation of MCO this year, we have come prepared.
“We decided to fully utilise the use of social media to engage with our customers and so far, the response is overwhelming.
“We sell our animal products such as pet food, animal food and animal medicine through our official Facebook page.
“We also have our own Whatsapp group to assist our customers in anything related to their pets,” said Maisara when approached by Buletin Mutiara at her shop in Bandar Perda today.
As for pharmacist Ooi Chyn Dee, 33, she suffered around 35% losses in revenue during this trying period.
“Thus, I would like to suggest to the MBSP to extend the operating hours from 6am to 10pm.
“This is mainly because most of my customers are from the island, and they are not able to reach here on time while heading home from work due to the traffic jams.
“So, they cannot get their supply of medicine or supplements. The only way they can come here is during the weekend when they get their day off.
“Thus, I hope MBSP or the Federal Government can consider our request just like they did for restaurants and eateries,” said Ooi at his shop in Padang Lalang.
Another pharmacist, who wants to remain anonymous, calls upon the Federal Government to waive the utility bill.
“Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has recently offered some rebates for electricity bills but honestly, I think it is not enough.
“It would be nice also if they can waive the bill for a few months. This move will surely give a huge relief for us and other businesses as well,” he added.
Story by Kevin Vimal and Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud and Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis