Long queues on first day of RMCO

After almost three months of not being able to travel to other states, many vehicles were seen entering and exiting the federal capital since midnight last night, following the commencement of the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).

Barber shops, hair salons and beauty parlours are also reopening back their doors to all customers from today.

Haliza Samsudin, 25, who works as a customer service officer near KLCC here, said she had to queue for more than half an hour this morning to catch a train at the Setiawangsa LRT station.

"Looks like I have to start early tomorrow to avoid getting late to work...but the LRT stations and others have to install thermal scanners instead of scanning body temperatures manually for faster movement," she told Bernama.

Meanwhile, in KEDAH, Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said all local authorities (PBT) were currently preparing to assist traders, especially morning and night market traders.

"God willing, with the SOP in place, we hope that our traders will revitalise the economy," he told a press conference after chairing the state executive council meeting in Sik.

Checks by Bernama around Alor Setar today found that most barber shops have begun operating in compliance with SOP set by the government.

Traffic was moving smoothly with an increase in the volume of vehicles.

In PENANG, long queues of customers were seen patiently waiting for their turn for a haircut as barbers and salons reopen today in line with the RMCO.

At the Ever Green Hairdressing Salon in Georgetown, customers maintained the SOP of one-metre distance between each other.

Salon owner V. Segar, 58, along with his four workers, were all seen garbed in a plastic poncho, face mask, gloves and face shield.

In NEGERI SEMBILAN, the Port Dickson resorts are back in full swing with various community activities including fishing, picnics and hotel vacations.

Lexis Hotel Group senior communications manager Nabil Jamil said the hotels had received encouraging room reservations since the announcement of the RMCO on Sunday.

In MELAKA, state's tourism sector is expected to get busy starting this weekend.

Public relations officer of a hotel in Bandar Hilir, Agnes Lee, said more than half of the hotel rooms have been booked for this Saturday and Sunday.

"All of our staff are happy to welcome back our guests," she said.

In PERAK, a total of 56 passengers boarded the Electric Train Service (ETS) at KTMB station in Ipoh as early as 5 am to various destinations.

A check by Bernama found that all ETS tickets for tomorrow's travel at the station have sold out.

In PERLIS, state Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Azizan Sulaiman reminded the public not to be overly excited with the relaxation under the RMCO.

-- BERNAMA