Covid-19: Buntong market to close on Tuesday (Sept 21) for cleaning, sanitisation

IPOH: The Buntong wet market will be closed on Tuesday (Sept 21) for cleaning and sanitisation works.

An Ipoh City Council spokesman said on Monday (Sept 20) the market will undergo disinfection after four Covid-19 cases were detected there.

"The market will be reopened on Wednesday (Sept 22).

"We hope the temporary closure for this exercise will provide comfort to market-goers in the future," the spokesman added.

Earlier at the market, some traders had voiced concerns over a viral video warning people not to visit the premises.

In the 31-second video recorded by an unknown truck driver, two individuals clad in full personal protective equipment are seen standing outside the market.

Fishmonger G. Valoo, 57, said there was also another viral message saying that about 90% of the traders at the market had tested positive for Covid-19.

Valoo said both messages caused his business to drop by almost 70% over the weekend.

"Many of the traders have gone for tests. Most of us are not infected," he said, adding that there were more than 100 traders in the market.

Food seller Yip Meng Chooi, 74, also saw an 80% drop in sales.

"I would normally sell out my fried noodles and desserts by 10am on weekends.

"The messages greatly impacted my business," she said.

"I just hope things will not drag on for long and get back to normal soon," she added.