The Malaysian Insight

FOUR produce wholesale associations have sent an appeal letter to the National Security Council (NSC) to cancel the current requirement for a negative Covid-19 test report before entering the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market in Selayang, but one of the signatories now regrets it.

Kuala Lumpur Hoi Seong Fish Wholesalers’ Association president Sing Kian Hock said he did not agree with the appeal against the stringent entry requirement given that Covid-19 infections can be asymptomatic.

He signed the joint letter on Friday morning along with the other heads of vegetable, fruit and meat wholesale associations.

But he told The Malaysian Insight subsequently that he was concerned about another virus outbreak at the market, which has faced periodic closures since last year following outbreaks among workers.

Instead, the current policy requiring proof of a negative Covid-19 test should be maintained, and vendors at the market should also be made to complete a second round of virus screening after February 4, when the movement control order is expected to end.

“This will ensure that the market is absolutely safe and restore the confidence of the general public,” he said.

According to recent screening results of the wholesale market as of mid-January, there were more than 170 Covid-19 cases among an estimated 4,000 people screened.

Various businesses in the market shut down for several days for screening and disinfection to bring the situation under control.

Other heads of wholesale associations said the strict entry requirements had taken a toll on business at the wholesale market and had driven customers away.

But Sing fears that reversing the requirement could see more infections and an even worse scenario with the entire market closing down for longer periods.

“The requirement may affect business for a month or two, but at least it can ensure the long-term health and safety of all vendors and employees,” Sing said.

The virus outbreak in early January began among fishmongers, resulting in the fish section being closed for five days while traders and workers underwent Covid-19 testing.

The tests were then extended to vendors and workers in other produce sections. In all, about 170 people at the market were found infected.

Fish trading has resumed for about a week now with business down by 50%, but Sing still supports a second round of Covid-19 screening.

Screening will be pointless, though, if the NSC decides to relax the entry conditions, he said, explaining his opposition to the appeal letter.

“The screening will be in vain because if an infected customer comes in, we will have another outbreak.”

Sing said the other wholesale associations were responding to members’ demands for more relaxed entry rules to protect their businesses.

However, he feels it is too risky not to continue screening and proof of negative Covid-19 tests for entry.

“It is hard for vendors to take care of themselves since all the stalls are connected. An infected customer will go from one vendor to another and may bring the virus around,” he said.

Sing also said the cost of doing a Covid-19 test, around RM100, should be weighed against the long-term benefit of being able to do business at the market without facing periodic closures.

The spread of Covid-19 is not a joke, he added, especially when infected people can be asymptomatic. – February 2, 2021.