TUMPAT: Residents living in Pengkalan Kubor here are hoping the country's international borders will be reopened soon.
Many of them, especially petty traders, said they rely heavily on tourists for their monthly income.
With the travel ban instituted by Malaysia and Thailand following the Covid-19 pandemic, these traders have been experiencing a drop in income.
Speaking to the New Straits Times, trader Sakinah Ibrahim expressed hoped the government would consider reopening the borders.
"Many of us including those operating businesses in the duty-free zone have suffered huge losses due to the pandemic and recently, we are slowly getting back our business.
"But if the government allows the borders to reopen, our businesses can pick up like before and our income will be back to normal again," said the 44-year-old from Kampung Telaga Bata.
The mother of three has been running her business in the town of Pengkalan Kubor since 10 years ago.
Another trader Norlela Sudin, 49, said she started to open her stall last week but only received a handful of customers.
"I have been selling blankets and other daily items since 15 years ago outside the duty-free zone. I can't wait for the border to reopen so I will get more customers," she said.
It is learnt that nearly 150 traders operate along the Kelantan-Thai border previously but at the moment, only 40 have resumed business.
A survey along the border yesterday also showed that no cross-border activities were held along the Golok river.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin recently said the opening of the country's borders to foreign tourists would only be decided after Malaysia moves into the Covid-19 endemic phase.
He said the country was currently still in the pandemic phase and its readiness to transition into the endemic phase would be determined by the Health Ministry.