LANGKAWI – Many traders here are treading carefully ahead of the island resort’s reopening to fully vaccinated tourists on September 16, as there are still no detailed standard operating procedures to guide their operations.
For now, they are making do with guidelines from previous SOPs and the support of the local council, said Tourism Langkawi chairman Ahmad Pishol Ishak.
With the island welcoming visitors again after a five-month shutdown, there are bound to be teething issues, he said, adding that the Langkawi Development Authority has a major role to play.
“We just hope that the SOPs are effective enough to mitigate issues as we prepare for the island’s reopening,” he told The Vibes.
Langkawi has about 900 active Covid-19 cases.
Restaurateur Oli Khalid said the private sector will try its best to adhere to the existing SOPs, but traders need an assurance from the authorities that everything possible has been done to mitigate infections.
He expressed hope that there are adequate facilities to quarantine people if a major outbreak occurs, and for enough medical personnel deployed to Langkawi with sufficient medicine and equipment supplies.
There is high anticipation that tourism will return in a big way for Langkawi after Malaysia Airlines Bhd and AirAsia’s announcements on discounted fares.
As Kuala Kedah’s ferry services are still not running due to the enhanced movement control order (EMCO), ferry operators in Kuala Perlis plan to increase their trip frequency to meet demand.
Supplies of food and other essentials have been stepped up even though cargo deliveries from Kuala Kedah are affected by the EMCO.
Oli said traders are focused on reviving the tourism industry, but noted that there are additional operational costs to bear.
“The extra costs are due to the need to adhere to the SOPs.”
Among the rules to be observed are mask-wearing, ensuring physical distancing, and the use of hand sanitiser.
The added costs are a burden especially when eateries can operate only at 50% capacity so as to be in compliance with the SOP on physical distancing. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021
