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Alternate-day trade at Central Market

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SIBU: Traders at the Central Market here will have to continue trading on alternate days during the recovery movement control order (RMCO) period.

The 400-odd traders were divided into two groups since the MCO was enforced on March 18, and ordered to operate their businesses on alternate days to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Chairman of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Market and Petty Traders Committee Albert Tiang said that local authorities in the state will deliberate on the matter on June 17.

“We will discuss on the SOP for markets before traders at the central market can trade normally,” he said.

Tiang however felt that the restrictions should be lifted during the RMCO period.

“We should be trading like before while abiding to the SOPs in line with the new normal,” he opined.

On the food court at the Rejang Park market here which has remained closed since March 18, he said it was the decision of the operators not to resume business as most of them are elderly and vulnerable to the Covid-19.

“Considering their age, they have the right to make the decision. This is also the same with their counterparts in Jalan Tiong Hua market. There are only two hawkers who have reopened their stalls while the others have remained closed,” he added.

Touching on the Sunday Market, he said it would remain close unlike the pasar malam (night market) which may reopen on June 17.

“We will only allow the reopening of Sunday Market at Jalan Mahsuri in July. The reason is that we want to register and apply for a temporary trading licence,” he explained.

He said the move was to put things in order as previously, anybody could trade there after paying a minimal fee.

“We are also considering setting aside 90 percent of the space for sale of local produce and the remaining 10 percent for imported goods,” he said.

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