KUALA LUMPUR: With almost a week since Ramadan began, food traders at a bazaar here are still experiencing lower than expected business.
This could be due to bad weather especially in the first several days of fasting with heavy downpours accompanied by strong wind keeping the customers away.
However, Kuala Lumpur Bumiputera Traders and Hawkers Association president Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman believes the spike in Covid-19 cases could also have contributed to lower number of patrons.
"Compared to pre-pandemic times, now the business has dropped up to 70 per cent.
"People are seeing the Covid-19 figures posted on social media and the news, it has gone above 2,000 cases now and for sure they are worried of their safety.
"Hence, some might stay away from going to the bazaar," he said when contacted today.
Some aspects of the bazaar's site is also not patrons-friendly, he said.
At the Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman bazaar for instance, Rosli said there are only two entry and exit points there.
He said things could get "messy" during peak business hours.
"The bazaar area is narrow. Imagine if people filled this area. Where else can they go to?
"I urge authorities to look at it, and to add more entry and exit points for easier movement.
"We do not want the business to be affected if (Covid-19) cases are reported there," he added.
Malaysia has been recording over 2,000 Covid-19 cases since Thursday.
The R-naught (Rt) rate is also on an upward trend with the value of 1.19 as of yesterday (Saturday).