Reopening to happy customers

Calvin choosing some painting materials at a bookshop.

STUDENTS and parents are happy and excited that bookstores are finally open after more than a month.

Bookstore assistant operation manager Khazminudin Isymar Omar, 43, brought his son to the store to get stationery and study materials.

“My son Khazadriy Chan Khazminudin Isymar, 13, has online lessons but he still needs paper and pens.

“He has not been out of the house for a few months since schools were closed,” he said when met at the bookstore in Gurney Plaza, Penang, on Saturday.

Student Calvin Lai, 21, heaved a sigh of relief as he could finally get his painting materials.

“My classes are conducted online but I still have to practise my drawing skills at home.

“I ran out of painting materials during the lockdown period and I am thankful that bookstores are open now.

“I enjoy drawing and painting portraits and I needed to get colour pencils to do them,” said the Bachelor of Illustration student.

Demand planner Ashter Loh, 36, dropped by the bookstore to get workbooks and reference books for her children aged six and nine.

“Schools are closed and my children have been home for around two months,” she said.

“I came to buy some workbooks to keep them occupied.

“I do not want them to spend a lot of time on their gadgets.”

Meanwhile, technician Muhamad Shahrul Mohd Yusoff, 29, said a lot of customers came to his shop on Wednesday as Penang entered Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

“We had at least 15 customers bringing gadgets here to be fixed.

“Some of the common problems include lagging laptops, gadgets that cannot be turned on and storage issues.

“During the lockdown period, some customers called us when they faced issues.

“We tried to help them solve the problems but those who couldn’t solve their issues have to bring their gadgets here,” he said.

The second phase of the NRP entails the opening of the retail sector which is a substantial contributor to Penang’s gross domestic product.

Besides car wash businesses, other businesses allowed to open include computer and telecommunications outlets, bookshops and stationery shops, electrical shops and barber shops (basic services only).

The people can also seek services under the manufacturing sector of the automotive (vehicles and parts) sector, ceramics, furniture factories (for export purposes), rubber, steel and cement factories.

Farmers’ markets and morning markets will be allowed to operate from 7am to 11am and are limited to selling vegetables, fruits, groceries, processed chicken, seafood and meat.

All individual sports and recreation activities that do not involve physical contact are also allowed.