‘E-bazaars a better option’

PUTRAJAYA: Allowing people to pick-up goodies for their breaking of fast or buying foodstuff the drive-through way this Ramadan will be a concern for the authorities. E-bazaars and deliveries look to be a better option for now, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

However, the Senior Minister said the Cabinet would want a

thorough study on whether or not the pick-up and drive-through concepts would also work.

He said allowing these concepts would only result in more vehicles being on the road and give people another excuse to leave their house when they should be staying in.

He said these were the concerns raised during the Cabinet meeting, which for now was only allowing e-bazaars, where orders were made online and deliveries made through e-hailing.

“What will be allowed for now are services that can be ordered via phone or online and the goods can be delivered to homes, ” he said at his daily briefing.

Ismail Sabri also said the authorities were asked to study the concepts to see if they were feasible at a time when efforts should be made to break the chain of the spread of Covid-19.

He added that once the standard operating procedure was in place, states would be asked to follow the guidelines prepared by the National Security Council.

Ismail Sabri was asked about Perlis’ decision to allow stalls to operate on road shoulders during Ramadan.

The pick-up system enables

customers to come to the stalls to pick up items which they had pre-ordered.

The drive-through concept is where buyers can order and buy goods from their car.

“We feel that allowing the two concepts will only result in more people being outside at the same time.

“We are also of the opinion that if the concepts are allowed, it will be hard for police because people will have a new excuse to go out – to pick up their breaking of fast goodies and go to drive-through bazaars, ” Ismail Sabri explained.