KUALA LUMPUR – Some 22 Ramadan bazaars across the country have been ordered to close starting tomorrow following the surge in Covid-19 cases in those areas.
In a letter issued by Housing and Local Government Secretary-General Datuk Zainal Abidin Abu Hassan today, the decision was made during a National Security Council meeting two days ago.
Eight Ramadan bazaars in Penang are affected: MPKK Jalan Tenggiri and Attakwa Taman Bertam Indah in Seberang Prai; Bazar Ramadhan and Iftar Ramadan Jalan Bukit Bintang 2021 under MBPP/MBSP; and four others in the island – Kg Melayu, Masjid Daerah Barat Daya, Bukit Gedung and Taman Tun Sardon.
Johor also sees four of its bazaars shut – Belatuk Taman Scientex in Pasir Gudang, Lok Heng, in Kota Tinggi and Johor Baru’s Jalan Mata Kuching (Kg Pasir) and Mart Kempas.
Kedah’s Taman Selasih (Kulim) and Baling’s Baling 2021 and Kupang 2021 bazaars are among the affected.
The bazaars in Puncak Jalil in Subang Jaya and Cempaka LRT station in Ampang Jaya, Selangor, have been told to close while the ones in Taman Setiawangsa and Jalan Raja Alang, Kuala Lumpur, share the same fate.
Temerloh’s bazaars in Lurah Semantan and Temerloh Jaya, Pahang, as well as Perak’s Bazar Nenas Kg Selabak in Teluk Intan will be closed.
The directive comes after the ministry received analysis based on contract-tracing data via MySejahtera and the Health Ministry.
Earlier today, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah called on Malaysians to strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs), especially at Ramadan bazaars, schools and public events.
“Don’t lose your focus and stay vigilant for the sake of your health and safety, and that of your family and community, as the pandemic will threaten the national economy and the people’s socio-economic well-being.
“We have to be disciplined in following the guidelines set by the government to avoid the resurgence of Covid-19, as seen in South Asian and European countries.”
His Majesty also voiced concerns over the closing of a number of schools across the country and the less-than-satisfactory SOP adherence at Ramadan bazaars and public events. – The Vibes, April 30, 2021
