KUCHING: Business are being allowed to operate back to the normal hours as the restrictions are no longer required.
The business restrictions were set by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) that started in the 1st of August which only allowed business to operate from 6 am until 10 pm to avoid another cluster from happening in Sarawak.
Following the downward trend in the number of new Covid-19 cases in Sarawak the SDMC decided for the business to operate on their usual hours.
New Sarawak Tribune interviewed the public to get a better understanding on how do they feel about the restriction of business hours being lifted and businesses are allowed to operate at their usual time.
Hafiz Fadzillah, 25, Insurance Agent
It’s great that businesses are able to operate at full capacity now and make up for lost time but I feel both customers and businesses should still be wary of the virus. Keep distancing from one another and always maintain cleanliness.
Ain Sarah Aidell, 19, Student
I felt relieved with the restriction being lifted due to declining cases of Covid-19. Businesses are now allowed to operate after 10pm and this will somehow boost the economic activities. In order to maintain this, everyone should play their role to follow all the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the government.
Yumida Rosdin, 46, Café Store Owner
Business wise, it has dropped tremendously like ours, operating in a building where guidelines need to be followed strictly, 12noon-10pm only, unlike before it was from 11 am until midnight. I am happy that business could resume as usual with normal hours and I hope people will support local business so that it will get better.
Michael Ng, 59, Hardware Store Owner
Business is affected but we have no choice because those restrictions are meant to protect us so I have no qualms there. I am very happy that the business could resume normal hours but we must remember we are doing this together so we have to makes sure to follow the SOP to ensure we keep our country safe.
Shirley Lau, 54, Stationary Shop Owner
Yes, the business is affected up until now, for example, you could see that there are very few people passing by this area as compared to before due to the pandemic. I do hope the business will improve in the near future as these restrictions are lifted.
Shorhana Iylia, 19, Student
It’s just pleasing to know that business hours are back to the way it used to be since it has been a struggle for business owners that face loss in profits due to the restrictions. We just now have to obey to the SOPs applied by the authorities in order to put an end to the number of cases from increasing and keep everyone safe.
