SIBU: It was a lukewarm response to the first night reopening of the Sibu Night Market last Thursday.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh said, of the 37 traders who usually sold food there, only 25 people came to do business.
“Overall, the flow of traders is very slow. Only 400 visitors come to the market tonight,” he explained when inspecting the night market’s reopening on Thursday
Also accompanying him were SMC Small Traders and Hawkers Division Standing Committee chairman Councillor Albert Tiang and his deputy Councillor Augustine Merikan.
The operating hours of the Sibu Night Market are from 5pm to 8pm, Ting pointed out.
He explained the night market’s reopening was done due to requests by its Muslim traders.
However, the number of customers after 6pm is reduced, especially during this fasting month.
“I have no issue with this because Muslim customers need to go home to prepare for breaking their fast.
“But the Sibu Night Market site can only be used after 4pm when the car park is vacated,” he said.
On the proposed operation, Ting said, it could only be implemented during the month of Ramadan.
On these Covid-19 preventive measures among its traders, he said the response to additional safety measures such as putting on face shields and gloves was still lacking.
