THE police want Selayang wholesale market in Kuala Lumpur to reduce its operating hours in accordance with the movement control order, said city police chief Mazlan Lazim.

“There are 440 stalls with five workers each, bringing the total number of those at the market to more than 2,000, without counting the customers,” he said during a check at the market, adding the number of workers was the issue.

He said 138 policemen are on duty in the area every day and two roadblocks are in place to regulate movement to the market, adding the roadblocks had been in place since March 19 to limit public movement.

The police also helped healthcare workers today as they screened 700 foreign workers, including Rohingyas, for Covid-19 at Selayang wholesale market.

Police believe some of the Rohingya attended the tabligh gathering in Sri Petaling, from February 27 to March 1.

From this gathering, a cluster of Covid-19 cases developed, causing a spike in the number of cases nationwide and adding to the death toll.

A trader who identified himself as Selvam, 40, said the authorities had ordered the foreign workers to get screened earlier but most refused to comply.

He said most of them are paid wages daily and cannot afford to skip a day’s work.

“However, today as the Health Ministry team is here, most complied and went for the test which was done at the entrance of the market.”

He said the authorities took the details of workers and told them they will be called if any of them tested positive for the virus.

Yesterday Malaysia reported 212 new infections, bringing the total number cases to 1,518. Of the new cases, 123 attended the tabligh.

The death toll for Covid-19 in Malaysia also climbed to 14 yesterday, with three new fatalities reported. – March 24, 2020.