States offer alternatives to traders during Ramadan

KANGAR: Perlis has allowed food traders in the state to operate from home and along the roadside during the movement control order (MCO) period in the upcoming fasting month as an alternative to not having Ramadan bazaars this year.

Bernama reported that Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man said traders must adhere strictly to instructions set under the MCO, which is to sell only packaged or takeaway food.

“Customers can either choose to purchase takeways or use home delivery services, ” he told reporters here yesterday.

He said businesses set up along the roadside were not allowed to provide tables and chairs for dining in, besides complying with measures to maintain social distancing and avoiding crowds from building up.

Earlier, Azlan presented a mock cheque totalling RM1mil as a one-off payment to frontline staff from 14 agencies in appreciation of their services in the state amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

Among the agencies involved are the Health Ministry, police, Social Welfare Department, the 504th Territorial Army Regiment, Road Transport Department and the Perlis Information Department.

In Ipoh, Perak announced that it will implement a “drive-through” Ramadan bazaar right after the third MCO period, says Datuk Nolee Ashilin

The Perak housing, local government, public transport and tourism committee chairman said the bazaar will be known as S.M.A.R.T iftar@Perak.

“We will work closely with the local government for the project. After April 28, the drive-through bazaar will begin the next day.

“We have gotten the agreements from local authorities.

“They will determine the locations for the bazaar, ” she told reporters at a press conference at the state secretariat building yesterday.

She said the bazaar will take place from 3pm until 6pm, with all vendors required to take the compulsory typhoid injections as well as wearing appropriate clothing such as covering their heads and wearing gloves.

“Their temperature will also be taken as a precaution.

“We are finding ways for these vendors to place their menus at the entrance of the bazaar.

“Local authorities will also limit the number of cars inside the compounds, ” she said, adding that districts such as Kerian and Kuala Kangsar will not be part of the drive-through bazaar due to their restricted locations and safety reasons.

She said the state government is working closely with Digital Perak to set up an online platform for the Ramadan bazaar.

“Interested vendors can join this platform by registering for free. However, it is compulsory for them to take the typhoid injection.

“We are also planning to have restaurants collaborate between each other, whereby those that are closed for business can place their items at restaurants that are still operating in the midst of the MCO, ” she said.