The Malaysian Insight

WET markets in and around Klang Valley are tightening their standard operating procedure (SOP) against Covid-19 for fear they would be the next cluster, with the virus showing no signs of abating.

These markets have direct dealing with the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market in Selayang, where more than 170 Covid-19 infections were reported in the past week.

Several sections in the wholesale market were also closed recently, as the authorities carried out sanitisation.

Markets in the Klang Valley have also taken steps to disinfect their premises, with vendors and workers asked to undergo screening.

The 100-year-old wet market in Ampang has taken the lead in ensuring there are zero cases there.

Ampang Hawker Traders’ Organisation vice-chairman Hee Chee Choong said it is impossible to hire guards and purchase professional disinfection tools due to limited funds.  

But with the cooperation of all 150 stall owners, they have set up their own team to ensure the SOP in the market area is strictly adhered to.

They started monitoring last year, and as the pandemic worsened, they set up a team to watch over the market’s entrance and exit points.

“We narrowed the entrances and only allowed 70 customers at a time. Temperatures were also checked and the MySejahtera code scanned.

“Even those who are standing in line outside, waiting to come in, will be reminded to maintain social distancing.

“We are also very worried. If one person in the market tests positive, the entire market will be closed and disinfected, and everyone’s business will be affected,” he said.

Hee said disinfection is carried out once or twice a month.

“We bought all the disinfection equipment ourselves, so they are the most basic. One was sponsored by a hawker.”

The Kepong Hawkers’ and Petty Traders’ Association is also abiding by the SOP.

The association owns six morning markets and 15 pasar malam, but two of them – Jinjang Utara and Kepong Baru – were closed after several hawkers tested positive for the virus.

The infections were believed to be from two fishmongers who had picked up goods from the wholesale market in Selayang.

Vice-chairman Deric Teh Siong Lieng said their markets have been stringent with the SOP.

“The emergence of confirmed cases this time can be said to be unexpected. But frankly speaking, the virus is all around and anyone can be positive at any time,” Teh said.

“Originally, the requirement from the Health Department was for 20 stall hawkers and 10 shopkeepers near infected hawkers to get tested.

“But to make everyone feel at ease, the association urged all hawkers to get tested and post their test reports in front of their stalls after reopening.”

Another market with a history of a Covid-19 cluster is Chow Kit market in Kuala Lumpur, where 90 people tested positive last May.

Chow Kit Hawkers’ and Petty Traders’ Association chairman Lee Chick King said local hawkers have always followed the SOP.

“We can’t control these things. After all, we can’t see it with our naked eye. We can only do our part by wearing a mask and disinfecting our hands, according to the SOP.”

With a police station nearby, the market often has policemen carrying out patrols, which encourages hawkers and customers to be comply with the SOP. 

“Only occasionally, if the customers crowd together, the hawkers will ask them to maintain their distance. Of course, this will offend the customers, but for safety’s sake, there is no choice.”

DAP’s Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran suggests that hawkers be tested regularly and receive immediate treatment once they are diagnosed with Covid-19.

While agreeing with this, the hawker associations said this should take into account the financial burden on hawkers, who have meagre incomes.

“If they have to pay for monthly testing, most hawkers would rather not open stalls.”

After the Chow Kit market lockdown last year, Lee said hawkers who followed the government’s instruction to get tested in a private medical institution for more than RM200, could not afford to reopen their businesses.

Teh from Kepong said the hawker business has also taken a hit with the mushrooming of mini-markets in residential areas.

“The mini-markets sell produce such as vegetables, meat and fruits. It is clean, convenient and there is no crowd. So, people will choose to shop there and that gradually affects the hawker business.”

Another competitor is online delivery services. With that, he agreed regular testing adds on financial burden.

As for Hee, he is worried hawkers will complain.

“I don’t think the hawkers will do it voluntarily because of the hassle, unless the government makes it compulsory.” – January 28, 2021.