SIBU, Feb 28: The central market will reopen tomorrow after more than three weeks of temporary closure due to Covid-19.
It was closed from Feb 8 to 14 but the closure was extended by another two weeks to Feb 28.
However that seems not to excite the 1,200-odd traders as a number of them prefer not to trade because they fear contracting Covid-19.
Sibu Central Market Hawkers Welfare Association chairman Tan Hong Kiang said a number of traders had voiced their intention to remain close until the Covid-19 situation in town improved greatly.
“The hawkers at the ground floor to the upper floor as like previously will be trading on an alternate day according to the stall number. But some of them are still scared of the coronavirus and choose to remain close,” he said.
According to Tan, who is selling porridge, these traders had been told by the council to fill up a form to inform that they will be taking leave.
“As for me, I will take another week off,” he said.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) market and petty traders standing committee chairman Albert Tiang acknowledged that there were many traders opting to take leave.
He said that would leave with only about 400 stalls open from 500 each day from alternate day trading. — DayakDaily
