KUCHING: The authorities must consider public interest and sentiments in deciding whether the Ramadan Bazaar should be held even after the movement control order (MCO) is lifted.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah noted that most people are hoping that the annual bazaar would be cancelled out of fear of a potential third wave of Covid-19.
Social media users have expressed fears that a potential third wave of the virus could be triggered if the Ramadan Bazaar is given the green light.
Some noted hosting the bazaar could put the frontliner’s efforts during the 28-day MCO to waste.
On Wednesday, director-general of Health Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry might consider ‘drive thru Ramadan bazaars’ as an alternative to the traditional food bazaars in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Dr Noor Hisham stated that such ‘innovative idea’ could help prevent large gatherings that expose people to the Covid-19 threat.
In response to the idea, Fatimah said that such alternative could be permitted in times like these where the people are afraid to be out in public.
“Allow alternatives. The idea is to provide service to the people and an opportunity for our ‘peniaga’ (hawkers) especially the womenfolk so that they can earn an income,” she said.
