GEORGE TOWN: The people of Penang are taking it easy this time around as they prepare for the statewide Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) effective tomorrow.
While there were more people thronging the morning markets and hypermarkets in various parts of the state since yesterday, there was no report of panic buying.
The traders also enjoyed brisk business.
Several people, when approached by the New Straits Times this morning, said they had been through the CMCO before and were better prepared this time around.
They also said the government's decision to implement the CMCO was a right move to stop the spread of the Covid-19 infection within the community.
Loh Guan Lye Specialists Centre admission assistant Umi Nadrah Ayub, 40, said it was good that the government enforced the CMCO to control the situation.
"This pandemic is not only affecting us but the whole world. We are seeing increasing cases within the community in recent weeks, which is very worrying. Sadly, the public is not taking the pandemic seriously.
"So, it is good that the government finally decides to implement the CMCO. We can only hope for the very best outcome at the end," she said when met at the Tanjung Bungah morning market here.
Umi Nadrah said she was only doing her normal marketing to ensure sufficient food stock for the next few days.
"There is no need for panic buying. After all, under the CMCO, we are still allowed to go out and buy things for the family.
"When I run out of (food) supplies, I can always come back here to stock up. If I buy too much now, there is a possibility that some of the perishable items will spoil," she said, adding that after going through the CMCO previously, she knew what to expect this time around.
The market's traders association chairman Ong Kin Hock, 63, said there was a bigger crowd at the market since this morning.
Ong, who sells poultry meat at the market, said everything sold out by 10am.
"Many people came to stock up but not to the extent of panic buying. Everything was under control.
"Anyway, there is no reason for our customers to worry as we have ample supplies to meet their daily needs. Plus, the market will be open daily. So, they can come anytime to buy what they need," he said.
Ong, however, acknowledged business had been a little slow prior to this.
"But with the increasing positive Covid-19 cases, many are opting to cook at home, which is a much cheaper option," he added.
Retired logistics officer Y. Pulan 62, also welcomed the government's decision to implement the CMCO following the increasing number of positive Covid-19 cases.
"I am in full support of the government's decision. There are just too many active cases now and it is worrying," he said.
Pulan runs a spice shop at the market with his wife. They had only began business a month ago.
"Today, we can see more people coming to the market and business is better but there is no panic buying.
"The people are more prepared now. After all, this is not the first time we have been placed under the CMCO," he said, adding that as for his family and him, they would only buy what was necessary.
Similar situation could be seen at a hypermarket in Tanjung Tokong here - no sign of panic buying.
Several patrons whom the NST had approached, however, said there were more people coming to shop since yesterday.
"Perhaps, it is the weekend too. Many of them are here to buy food stuff, basic necessities and toiletries," one of them said on condition of anonymity.
Yesterday, Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced all but three states in the Peninsula would be placed under the CMCO for four weeks from Nov 9 to Dec 6.
The unaffected states are Perlis, Pahang and Kelantan.
This also means that the CMCO currently in effect in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya will be extended for another four weeks.