Adapting to life with Covid-19


Safety measure: The ceiling fans remain switched on for good air ventilation even though there are fewer customers at the Esplanade Park food court in George Town, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Most Malaysians look to have adapted to life with Covid-19 as the country enters the third week of its transition to the endemic phase.

A check at local eateries shows that Covid-19 precautions have become a way of life and people have “internalised” measures to keep Covid-19 at bay.

At the food court along the Esplanade, the measures included keeping all ceiling fans on to ensure plenty of air circulation even when the food court was only partially occupied.

Razmanizam Razali, 35, who runs a nasi melayu stall at the food court, said this was a move to ensure constant air flow.

“We could switch it off as there are fewer people now during Ramadan, but leaving all the fans on ensures the place is better ventilated for us too.

“Another measure we have taken is to have only one entry and exit point at the front of the food court.

“We are allowed to open both the front and back entrances, but we decided to keep the back gate closed.”

Razmanizam said that since it was Ramadan, there were fewer customers but he expected business to be back to normal after Raya with most tables filling up during lunch hour.

“Prior to this, we had Rela volunteers to control the crowd but now there is no need for them,” he said.

Eatery chain Sri Ananda Bahwan’s group managing director V. Harikrishnan said that to ensure better ventilation at his eateries, he increased the number of fans at all his branches.

“Some branches have more ceiling fans while we have added some wall fans as well.

“This is to ensure better ventilation,” he said.

Harikrishnan said they also sanitised the eateries three times a week.

“We have hand sanitisers at the entrances and ensure everyone scans their MySejahtera app,” he said.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said a decision on relaxing the requirement to check in at premises using MySejahtera would be made in one to two weeks.

Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 11.12/month

Billed as RM 11.12 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 9.87/month

Billed as RM 118.40 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
endemic phase ,

Next In Nation

Govt allocates RM2.5mil to provide dialysis facilities at selected K'tan mosques
Community nurses' staffing, grade isssues to be raised in Senate next month, says Dr Lingeshwaran
Govt to continue strengthening Islamic education in Kelantan, says Anwar
Govt committed to opening university pathways for pondok students, says Anwar
Mother, daughter arrested for allegedly obstructing Muar council officer during stray dog ops
Selangor Ruler unwell due to Influenza A infection, investiture ceremony postponed to Nov 7
Strengthening digital identity key to national cyber defence, says Nacsa chief
Anwar calls for stronger action against school bullying
Extra RM200mil grant allocated to support small-scale entrepreneurs, says Anwar
Muar factory operator loses over RM100,000 to phone scam syndicate

Air Pollutant Index

Note: API is calculated based on 24hr running average of the most dominant parameter.

Highest API Readings

    Select State and Location to view the latest API reading

    Others Also Read