LANGKAWI – The resort island’s fortunes have been hit yet again when the government imposed a two-week movement control order (MCO) in five Kedah districts, including Kota Setar.
The restrictions have caused a sudden decline in tourists, forcing businesses to put up temporary closure notices.
Langkawi Wildlife Park general manager John Teoh told The Vibes that most attractions have begun to close from yesterday since no one is permitted to enter Kota Setar.
“If they can’t even enter the district – and Kuala Kedah is in the district – no one can take the ferry to Langkawi. No one is coming into Langkawi.
“I have come to know that a group of 18 with ferry tickets and travel letters to Langkawi cannot enter the district because of the roadblock,” he said, adding that if there are no visitors, there is no point for the businesses to remain open.
Some of the tourist attractions will remain closed during the weekdays and open only on Fridays and Saturdays with the hopes of luring local visitors.
Teoh said that as of Monday, only four passengers boarded SkyCab, the Langkawi cable car to Gunung Mat Chinchang. Underwater World Langkawi welcomed less than 10 visitors, and Langkawi Wildlife Park had none.
“The streets of Langkawi are empty again just when we thought things were picking up. On May 1, we had 95 visitors; May 2, 13 people; and May 3, zero. How are we going to survive?
“My staff are now under unpaid leave; if they have their annual leave, then they will use up their leave, leaving us with a minimal workforce – to the point where our security guard has now taken over the task of mopping the floor,” he said, adding that though it takes RM150,000 a month to run the place, the park only raked in RM7,500.
Teoh said that if business does not pick up in the next few months, he will have to return the park to the owner.
“The government was supposed to help with some money through the Social Security Organisation (Socso), but it is all on hold. Plus you cannot miss a day paying Socso contributions, or you’ll get fined.”
Among the attraction sites that have put up notices for temporary closure include Langkawi Wildlife Park, Langkawi SkyCab, Underwater World Langkawi, and Crocodile Adventureland.
Last Friday, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that five districts in Kedah – Kota Setar, Kuala Muda, Bandar Baru, Baling and Kulim – are being placed under MCO from May 1 to 14.
The comes after the Health Ministry recorded a total of 709 cases in the five districts. The MCO had been imposed to also stem the spread of Covid-19 to other districts as the state is experiencing a rise in infectivity rate, and declining hospital and lab capacity. – The Vibes, May 5, 2021
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