KOTA BARU: The Wakaf Che Yeh wet market here, the oldest in the state, is normally bustling with customers as early as 7am.
However, the situation was different yesterday as fewer customers were spotted on the first day of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Kelantan.
Nasi lemak and nasi kerabu seller Siti Fatimah Hassan, 60, from Kampung Bendang Kerian, said she did not expect the MCO to cause a drastic drop in the number of customers.
"I know that the MCO started today (yesterday), but I thought people would still come to the market. So I prepared the same amount of nasi lemak and nasi kerabu.
"My products are normally sold out every day, but I sold only half of the 50 sets I made today."
Seller Ah Pian, 56, from Tumpat, said many traders had stopped early or didn't open.
"A majority of us who opened are selling fresh meat, fish, produce and other perishable goods from 7am and normally stop business around 2pm every day.
"We know that under MCO, wet markets are allowed to operate until 2pm, but we have no other choice but to close before noon."
Checks showed that many traders had closed as early as 11.30am due to a lack of customers.
It was reported that wet markets and pasar tani (farmers' market) in MCO areas can operate from 7am to 2pm, while pet stores and veterinary clinics are allowed to open from 6am to 8pm.
Operating hours for food outlets, sundry shops and convenience stores are from 6am to 8pm.
Food outlets can provide only takeaways and deliveries.