DBKL issues new rules for wholesale market

Keeping it safe: DBKL requires everyone entering Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur to present a copy of their negative Covid-19 test result starting tomorrow.

PETALING JAYA: Starting tomorrow, those wishing to enter Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur in Selayang must present a copy of their negative Covid-19 test result issued by Health Ministry-approved facilities.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said the requirement applies to everyone, including traders, stall and general workers as well as lorry drivers.

The test result must be the latest and is valid for only two weeks from the date the test was conducted.

“Entrants must pass the temperature check by not exceeding 37.5C and register themselves via MySejahtera.

“Stall owners and workers must present their licence or worker pass.

“Failure to comply with these measures will result in them being barred entry, ” it said in a statement yesterday.

The new measures came after a surge in Covid-19 infections among workers at the wholesale market.

The Star reported on Jan 19 that 118 positive cases had been detected involving workers from the vegetable and fish sections.

The latter has been closed since Jan 18 for sanitisation and is scheduled to reopen tomorrow.

The market conducted mass testing since last week after more than 15 cases were detected among fishmongers.

DBKL Corporate Planning Department director Khairul Azmir Ahmad said the fruit and vegetable sections would be closed until Sunday for disinfection exercises.

“We are also looking at closing some other sections for sanitisation. We will have to look at the number of Covid-19 infections at the fish and meat sections.

“We also may need to limit the number of workers at each shoplot, ” he said, adding that input from the National Security Council and health authorities would be sought.

Meanwhile, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai urged DBKL and the relevant authorities to decide if the market would be closed or allowed to continue operations.

“This is important as many traders in the city source supplies from the wholesale market.

“Some traders have also ordered extra stock for the coming Chinese New Year festivity, ” he said.