SIBU: The increase in Covid-19 positive cases recorded in Sibu on Friday (April 9) has made the night market seemed gloomy with fewer customers.
Despite the good weather, the first night at the Butterfly Garden last Friday showed that the market was not well-patronised.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Councilor Clarence Ting today said he did not rule out the increasing Covid-19 positive cases at 115 have caused people to stay away from the market.
He said that he also visited the market on Friday night together with council members and officers to monitor public compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP) on.
“Not many people visited the place. I think it was due to the Covid-19 update and the number of cases which is 115.
“I think this is human nature. For traders, only 51 out of 82 were operating.
“There are a total of 164 traders at the night market. Only 82 are allowed to do business according to the rotation system,” he said.
Ting said of the 115 cases recorded many were in urban areas such as Jalan Lanang where there are two active clusters — Jalan Maju and Bulatan Aman clusters.
“I advise who visit the night market, please adhere to the SOPs and do not go to crowded areas.
“If you see a lot of people buying stuffs, don’t get too close; line up and wait for your turn,” he said.
He pointed out that the virus is now already in the community and people need to comply with the SOPs to prevent infections.
He acknowledged that the reopening of the night market was a very difficult decision for the MPS to make.
“But I am happy that the council has its standing committee to work with the staff to monitor the place,” he said.
Ting understood that hawkers’ income had been badly affected since the night market closed.
“I sympathise with all the traders. I asked some of them and they said that they did nothing while the market was closed.
The night market operates from 5.30pm to 10pm daily.
