KUCHING: The Kuching Food Festival is making a comeback after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
This was confirmed by Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, who revealed that the festival would be from July 27 to Aug 30.
Previously, MBKS had set up a Kuching Festival Food Fair committee to discuss on how to manage the event, particularly on crowd control, which is seen as the biggest challenge given the number of entry and exit points.
The public are highly in favour of the annual food festival making a comeback.
While there some who are still concerned about the Covid-19 situation, the majority suggested that to ensure the event is held in a safe manner, MBKS could opt for a drive-through.
New Sarawak Tribune spoke to some people for their views.
Muhammad Yusuf Shukri, 29, private employee
“Since everything is sort of returning to normal with the rate of people inoculated with the vaccine and the booster shot high, I think it is a good idea to restart the festival since the county’s borders are also reopening in April.
It will be a good opportunity to revive not only the people’s income that has been affected by the pandemic, but also welcome back one of Kuching’s tourist attractions.
To ensure the event is held in a safe manner, vendors and visitors must be fully vaccinated to participate or enter MBKS premises. But at the same time, I think since MBKS has a vast area, maybe they could make full use of the compound so that every vendor can have a good distance between them. Apart from that I think a drive-thru concept can also be considered.”
Alfie Allin, 36, office assistant
“I totally agree that the Kuching Festival should be held this year because it will boost the economy of locals as well as tourism in Sarawak.
But, for a big event to be held where big crowds are expected, the organisers need to implement strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) to avoid the emergence of a new Covid-19 cluster.
Also, it is important that visitors comply with the SOPs.”
Isaac Law, 17, student
“In my opinion, I feel that the Kuching Festival can be held provided that the organisers of the event limit the number of people entering to avoid huge crowds and lower the chances of another Covid-19 cluster.
“Hopefully, when the time comes, the cases will be reduced and MBKS can proceed with holding the event or else I think it is better not to hold it yet. There are pros and cons to this.”
Malcolm Lau, 30, businessman
“As we are starting to learn to live with the virus, and we are treating this virus like a normal disease already, I think it will be alright for the Kuching Festival to be held provided all standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place.
It will be good start for those businesses to recover. But at the same time, most importantly, everyone must ensure that they are healthy to visit the event.”
Candy Ng, 33, accountant
“We are already seeing big events in the city, so for me, I think holding the Kuching Festival should not be a problem.
But what is important is that we must practise SOPs such as avoiding huge crowds, always wear face masks, practise physical distancing as well as good hygiene.”
