Movement control: How will food traders fare?

The Movement Control Order, declared for the first time in the country's history, takes effect today.

The declaration of the nationwide movement control order by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last Monday, with the objective, among others, to limit the movement of people and ensure social distancing, has actually sparked ideas among traders, especially those operating food business, to provide added value to their customers.

The first of its kind measure ever taken by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19 will surely impact the daily routine of the people, what more food operators.

Checks by Bernama at several food outlets and restaurants in the city found some of the owners and operators are open to the idea of providing food delivery service to their customers, since the public is not allowed to dine-in at their premises.

One of the traders, Noridawati Hassan, 42, who operates a food stall near Istana Budaya, said she is providing food delivery service to her customers.

"We are aware of what the government wants (from the movement control order). Hence, we do not provide chairs and tables at our stall. Our regular customers know about this, so they can contact us to request for food at the stall to be delivered to them.

"This order is also for public safety, so traders should comply and find alternative ways to continue to keep their business going during the order period until March 31," she told Bernama

Another food trader who requested to be identified only as Effi, 37, said he would consider providing delivery service to his customers.

He operates a food shop in Kampung Baru here.

"We have to comply with the order, or face the penalty, as this involves public safety. As it is, now we do not provide delivery service, but, with the current situation, we might consider by making a simple menu," he added.

Under the movement control order, businesses providing food and beverage services are not allowed to serve dine-in customers. They can only cater to delivery and take-away customers.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Night Market Traders Association chairman Abdul Hadi Mustafa said the movement control order is the best way to curb the spread of COVID-19, although its enforcement will affect income of traders.

For any inquiry on the movement control order, the public can contact the National Operation Management Centre at 03-88882010.

-- BERNAMA