For night market traders who, like many other non-essential businesses, were told to remain closed throughout the movement control order (MCO) period, the green light to set up their stalls again after weeks of zero business has brought on a sense of relief which, although superficial, is better than none at all.
Many of them rely entirely on what they earn at these markets, popularly known as pasar malam, and news that they would not be allowed to operate under the reinstated MCO had hit hard.
“If we have to close completely during the MCO, it’s a gone case for us since we don’t have a monthly salary,” a trader at a night market in Petaling Jaya told MalaysiaNow.
“Our salary is based on our work.”
So when the government announced on Feb 4 that several business sectors including night markets would be allowed to resume operations, many traders breathed a sigh of relief.
This followed an earlier announcement on Jan 29 that night markets would be allowed to reopen subject to strict SOPs.
Traders had questioned the directive to shut down under the MCO, noting that morning markets were still allowed to operate despite the restrictions on movements.
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