Proposed new Ramadan bazaar will ruin the advantages, benefits of MCO - Don

The proposal by the Federal Territories Ministry to implement the Ramadan bazaars in three specific ways does not guarantee safety, especially with the COVID-19 outbreak still posing a big threat.

Master of the Malaysian Academy of Medicine (AMM), Prof Dr Rosmawati Mohamed, said the move would potentially not only create new clusters but would also negate the advantages and benefits of implementing the Movement Control Order (MCO).

“Although the concept of the bazaar was quite innovative, AMM still disagreed with the plan to set up Ramadan bazaars at all.

“This is because the three methods that have been announced do not guarantee the safety and spread of the outbreak.

“The main objective of the MCO is to stem the spread of the virus through the practice of social distancing.

“But given the popularity and congestion at Ramadan bazaars, the practice of adequate social distance is going to be extremely difficult or impossible to achieve.

“Clashes are completely unavoidable either while on the way, while at Ramadan bazaars, or between customers and traders,” she told Astro AWANI on Sunday.

On Wednesday, Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa announced three new methods will be introduced for Ramadan bazaars in the Federal Territory, namely drive-throughs, pre-order pack and pick-ups, and delivery via e-hailing vehicles throughout the MCO period.

Meanwhile, Dr Rosmawati said AMM had suggested that the government implement the online bazaar through the delivery service.

According to her, the move would indirectly reduce the risk of infection and prevent crowding, especially at the bazaar site.

"All kinds of crowding that occur at Ramadan bazaars pose a high risk for the virus to spread and can lead to a third wave of COVID-19 infection and potentially increase the death rate of the pandemic," she added.