SIBU – Sibu Central Market, the largest market in Sarawak, is normally filled with the hustle and bustle of big crowds looking to buy daily necessities.
However, the indoor market was exceptionally quiet since yesterday after the Sibu Municipal Council (MPS) decided to shut it down for two days when a worker there tested positive for Covid-19.
Hawker stalls were seen covered in canvas, while barrier tapes and fences have been installed around the six-storey, 18,000 sq m building, which has been operating since the end of 1996.
Although the market closure had been announced via various platforms, there were still some people who came to the market only to find it closed for business.
One of them was Sakai Mangga, 65, a regular customer of the market who came all the way from his longhouse in Tanjung Latap, situated about 20km away from here, by motorcycle to buy essential goods, and was left frustrated when he had to find an alternative.
“I came here at about 10.30am to buy some vegetables, fish, and other daily necessities for a few days’ supply. I didn’t know the market was closed,” he said when met outside Sibu Central Market.
[Video] Pasar Sentral Sibu yang merupakan pasar terbesar seumpamanya di Sarawak, ditutup dua hari bermula Selasa oleh Majlis Perbandaran Sibu.
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Ia berikutan seorang kakitangannya yang bertugas di pasar itu disahkan positif #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/C204Xc1Z02
Former cook Lee Yung King, 75, from Taman Bumi Indah, Jalan Oya, was also shocked to see barrier fences at the entrances to the market.
However, he realised that as a senior citizen, he was in a high-risk group and was not supposed to spend too much time outside.
“I need to buy some fresh produce, meat, and fish but since the market is closed, I have to immediately return home,” he said.
Another regular customer, Mohammad Drahman, 58, said he was not aware of the market closure announcement as the television at home had been taken over by his children.
“I had no idea at all. I can’t even watch the news. All groceries are available here in Sibu Central Market and this saves us time. Since the market is closed, I have to buy the goods in several other places now,” he said.
Meanwhile, MPS has put up notices on the market’s temporary closure in English, Malay and Chinese around the premises. A number of security guards were seen watching over the entrances to the market.
According to MPS chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh, the temporary closure was to make way for sanitisation works and sellers to undergo Covid-19 screening tests. – Bernama, February 3, 2021
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