Melaka CM: Tourists welcome but must follow SOP

MELAKA: Tourism players in the state were told to ensure Covid-19 standard operating procedure is strictly followed as thousands of visitors are set to throng the historic city in the coming weeks.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said the priority was on the health and safety of both the visitors and the locals.

“Melaka welcomes all of you but please abide by the SOP, ” he said in an interview yesterday.

Melaka had seen heavy traffic congestion since Friday when many Malaysians took the opportunity to have a weekend outing in the state after the government lifted interstate travel restrictions.

The public holiday in Selangor on Friday saw an extended weekend for those working in the state, which was said to contribute to the heavy traffic.

Sulaiman said the overwhelming arrivals during the weekend were a good sign for the recovery of the local tourism industry.

“We definitely need the volume but the state cannot compromise on the efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“Tour operators must work with the state government in making Melaka safe, ” he added.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Melaka Chapter thanked the government for relaxing the interstate travel.

Its chairman Goh Hock Gin said that the weekend’s crowd was a boon for the industry after enduring months of hardship due to the restriction in travels.

However, he said there was still a long way for the industry to go before it could recover from the impact of Covid-19.

“We hope interstate travel will continue to enable the industry to resuscitate fully, ” he said.

Melaka Tourism Business Club vice-chairman Dennis Samford said the traffic crawls were seen even at the recreational beach fronts of Klebang and Pengkalan Balak from as early as Friday.

“Most luxury hotels reported brisk room occupancy rates, ” he added.