Terengganu Ramadan bazaar operators ignore SOPs

 

Throwing caution to the wind, Ramadan bazaar organisers here have been found ignoring the required standard operating procedures (SOP), including not providing equipment such as barrier ropes, temperature scanners and one-way routes as required by the government. - NSTP/ BAHAROM BAKAR

KUALA TERENGGANU: Throwing caution to the wind, Ramadan bazaar organisers here have been found ignoring the required standard operating procedures (SOP), including not providing equipment such as barrier ropes, temperature scanners and one-way routes as required by the government.

Checks at several Ramadan bazaar sites found that organisers were late in setting up the necessary equipment such as tables and temperature scanners.

Although business operations at the Ramadan bazaar are between 3pm and 8pm, personnel only showed up at 4.30pm to set up the necessary equipment such as installing temperature scanners, while visitors came earlier than the permitted time to do their shopping.

The organisers were nevertheless found to have adhered to ensuring trader's stalls have a spacing of between 1m and 1.5m, with the traders wearing face masks.

However, bazaar patrons were found ignoring physical distancing as they went about choosing their Ramadan delicacies and shopping.

NSTP/ BAHAROM BAKAR

Muhamad Hariss Mokhtar, 38, from Kuala Ibai, said the organisers should have made initial preparations and be on standby an hour before the sales began.

"We came early to the Ramadan bazaar site to avoid congestion but were surprised as no temperature scanner facilities were made available.

It seems as if organisers were not prepared, even though the Ramadan bazaar SOP compliance guidelines had been issued," he said.

Checks also found that although the entrance and exit routes were marked and provided for, visitors snapped barrier ropes to enter the bazaar site via an exit route.

Organisers also did not station Rela personnel. Instead, temperature checks were conducted by teenagers on duty.

Chicken trader Luqman Hakim, 23, urged visitors to adhere to the rules to avoid the increase of Covid-19 cases.

"The government has met the demands of the people, including traders, when it agreed to relax the conditions, including allowing Ramadan bazaars to be held.

"Now it is the turn of traders and visitors to comply with the SOP, to help the government curb the spread of Covid-19 cases," he said. - NST