PETALING JAYA – Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations tomorrow will be a mixed affair for many traders across the Klang Valley.
The customary one-week holiday taken by the Chinese community – which typically sees many close their businesses to celebrate – takes a different turn in 2021 due to the ongoing movement control order (MCO).
Checks by The Vibes at SS2 Square here on Monday found fruit traders and vendors planning to continue operating even on the first and second days of CNY.
Ken Kua, the proprietor of the Ken Kua Fruits Trading company, said several factors contributed to the decision to remain open for business during the public holiday.
“Sales of mandarin oranges have been doing very well despite the MCO due to the resumption of businesses as announced by the government.
“People are coming out in a rush to buy them. At present, I believe at least 95% of the mandarin orange stocks have been sold along with other fruits used for offerings, such as pomelos, and gift hampers.
“The rush could be due to some roadside traders having run out of their supply of mandarin oranges. The resumption of business is helping our sales in the days leading up to the celebration.
“Secondly, there will always be demand for fruits to serve as offerings during the first 10 days of CNY,” he told The Vibes.
Kua said prior to the loosening of business restrictions last week, sales had been sluggish.
In view of a possible shortage of mandarin oranges by the weekend, he said his outlet at SS2 Square will continue to operate while adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) during CNY – and focusing instead on durian, which is his bestseller.
“Business has to continue. There were losses last year due to the strict MCO.”
A spokesman for the DurianMan 1998 outlet at SS2 Square, who declined to be named, shared a similar sentiment, saying the outlet has been busy promoting durians through social media.
“We have always operated during CNY or any other festivities. To ramp up sales, we are doing Facebook Live videos that showcase our promotions for customers who order our durians online.”
Meanwhile, checks at the nearby Medan Selera SS2 food court found that the majority of stall operators will be closed tomorrow.
A chicken rice stall operator, who wished to be known only as Lee, said the majority of stall operators plan to close starting tomorrow, and resume business only on Monday.
“We don’t expect much business during the first three days of CNY, so it is better to shut down before resuming by Monday.”
Meanwhile, Rice Home Restaurant in Cyberjaya plans to operate from 10am to 3pm on the first three days of CNY.
A shop worker said poor sales, ever-changing SOPs and movement restrictions during the festive period contribute to the decision to remain open for business.
He expressed hope that business will operate under better circumstances in the near future.
The Chinese community will celebrate CNY under controlled circumstances.
The revised conditions set by the National Security Council allow social gatherings, like the traditional reunion dinner, to go ahead, but attendees cannot exceed 15 people and must all come from within a 10km radius of their meeting point.
Religious gatherings in temples are allowed today and tomorrow, and on February 19 (Hokkien New Year), subject to strict SOPs.
Attendees will be capped at 30 people, with physical distancing observed, while prayers must be completed in 30 minutes, with another 30 minutes set for sanitisation between sessions. – The Vibes, February 11, 2021
