MM Online:
In Padang Jawa’s ‘Ramadan bazaar’, Covid-19 awareness present, but compliance leaves much to be desired
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People buying food for iftar during Ramadan in Padang Jawa, Shah Alam May 7, 2020 Picture by Miera Zulyana |
SHAH ALAM, May 8 — The scene at Jalan Mat Raji in Padang Jawa here today is one that is synonymous with that at any Ramadan bazaar, save for the reduced number of people, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While many of the stalls selling a wide variety of famous dishes, beverages, snacks, fruit and even seafood had displayed clear signs calling for social distancing, face masks and other requirements linked to personal hygiene, patrons were not necessarily fully conforming.
A check by Malay Mail both yesterday and today found that customers forming long queues for at least four stalls in the area failed to observe social distancing.
The stall owners, however, had put up clear notices urging their customers to do so, but adherence still seemed unlikely.
While many of the stalls selling a wide variety of famous dishes, beverages, snacks, fruit and even seafood had displayed clear signs calling for social distancing, face masks and other requirements linked to personal hygiene, patrons were not necessarily fully conforming.
A check by Malay Mail both yesterday and today found that customers forming long queues for at least four stalls in the area failed to observe social distancing.
The stall owners, however, had put up clear notices urging their customers to do so, but adherence still seemed unlikely.
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A sign seen in one of the shops along Jalan Mat Raji in Padang Jawa Picture by Yiswaree Palansamy |
Some stall owners were also not wearing face masks and gloves, seeing how such items are a necessity when handling food for the masses.
At about 5pm, more people began pouring into the area, as evident from the snaking lines and the huge number of motorcycles parked near the stalls, with some choosing to wait while their partners queued for food.
On Tuesday, Harian Metro reported that as of 3pm, almost 500 people were going in and out of Jalan Mat Raji to purchase their breaking of fast or buka puasa meals
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Road traffic during the Ramadan bazaar in Padang Jawa, Shah Alam May 7, 2020 Picture by Miera Zulyana |
During a media trip with the Selangor State Police Contingent (IPK) on the first day of the conditional movement control order (CMCO), the Malay daily reported the scene as “shocking”, as the narrow road was congested with cars, with some even bringing along their children on motorcycles without helmets.
The report stated that there was also no social distancing among patrons of the bazaar, and that many ignored the police presence.
During Malay Mail’s trip today, and as of 5.30pm, no police personnel were present in the area.
The government does not permit the operation of Ramadan bazaars this year, in a bid to bring the Covid-19 infection rate in Malaysia under control, and prevent a further outbreak. However, the stalls here, were operating from restaurant-like premises.
The report stated that there was also no social distancing among patrons of the bazaar, and that many ignored the police presence.
During Malay Mail’s trip today, and as of 5.30pm, no police personnel were present in the area.
The government does not permit the operation of Ramadan bazaars this year, in a bid to bring the Covid-19 infection rate in Malaysia under control, and prevent a further outbreak. However, the stalls here, were operating from restaurant-like premises.
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People buying food for iftar during Ramadan in Padang Jawa, Shah Alam May 7, 2020 Picture by Miera Zulyana |
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People buying food for iftar during Ramadan in Padang Jawa, Shah Alam May 7, 2020 Picture by Miera Zulyana |
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