For the loyal visitors to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) and Masjid India here, this year's Aidilfitri preparations will surely make a difference as the area is now desolated in compliance with the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO).

No more blaze of colours of various fashions of clothings and the varieties of cakes sold decorating the city folks' 'must visit' locations in the city when buying Aidilfitri preparations as usual.

Housewife Aqilah Mohan Jafar, 31, said that normally a week before Ramadan that she would already be going to Jalan TAR to buy items in preparation for Hari Raya but the routine had to be forgotten for this year.

"I really like the excitement of shopping in Jalan TAR especially before Ramadan and Aidilfitri. There are so many options and one can bargain, but this year if I buy raya clothes at all, I will only buy them online," she told Bernama.

Private sector worker Sharul Nizam Mohamed Rani, 44, said the city folks would pine for the merriment of shopping on Jalan TAR as it was a significant part of Ramadan and Aidilfitri preparations for them.

"Indeed, it feels so different this year, often at this time the capital becomes merrier and more crowded. But we also need to adapt to the 'new normal' of life as the Prime Minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) calls it for the sake of our health and well-being, "he said.

The Masjid India area including Jalan TAR were placed under EMCO from April 14 to April 28 following the increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases there.

Meanwhile, Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman Hawkers and Traders Association chairman Azkhalim Suradi said most traders were now starting to familiarise themselves with promoting products through online platforms like Facebook as an alternative.

"In terms of sales growth we don't know yet, as these traders are just learning the online platforms. But among the challenges are delivery and courier, especially for customers who make late orders," he said.

Azkhalim said although small traders and hawkers were saddened at the effect of the pandemic on their income sources, they endeavoured to stay positive and be more creative in generating revenue.

"Most of these traders have booked stocks in advance and in larger amounts for sale in the raya season, and the stocks arrived two months before the raya season.

"Of course it's very worrying and a head ache when we wonder how we can sell them all. But at the same time we try to be optimistic and believe there is wisdom behind this incident," he said.

-- BERNAMA