MIRI – The Kuching North City Hall, Kuching South City Hall and Miri City Council have cancelled plans to allow Ramadan bazaars to operate in three locations under their jurisdictions due to a surge in Covid-19 cases.
Kuching North City Hall chairman Morshidi Ahmad said the bazaars scheduled to be held in the commercial and housing localities of Satok, Semarak and Sukma Ria from April 12 to May 12 will not be allowed to operate.
“After taking into consideration the latest Covid-19 situation in Sarawak, we have decided to cancel the bazaars as there is still a very high rate of Covid-19 infection spreading in the state,” Morshidi said in a statement here today.
He added holding Ramadan bazaars at this time may result in big crowds and the high risks of close physical contact.
“There is a high risk of Covid-19 infections spreading even more if the Ramadan bazaars are held, and this will hamper efforts to eradicate the pandemic in Sarawak,” he said.
Kuching City North is the first local council authority to cancel plans for Ramadan bazaars in Sarawak.
Last week, state Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas announced the green light for Ramadan bazaars to be held throughout Sarawak from April 12 to May 12.
The annual Ramadan bazaar was banned in Sarawak last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the ban was lifted as such bazaars are needed in order to help revive the local economy. – The Vibes, April 7, 2021
