PENANG traders are disappointed with the new movement-control order (MCO), which they said will once again put the brakes on their recovery.

Despite awareness that the strict measures taken are in order to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, they remain disheartened.

MCO 2.0 will impact directly on their businesses just as it had done during the first round of movement restrictions last year.

In fact, they fear that the renewed MCO will hit them harder, making it tougher for them to rebuild their businesses.

A masseuse in Permatang Pauh, Nor Isa Mahadi Abd Hamid, 40, said he had to cancel bookings when cross-district and state travel bans were enforced under the current MCO.

“My wife and I do house calls for massages. In one day, we can get four to six customers from Penang and Kedah.

“We’ve had to cancel reservations by our regular customers now,” said Isa, who started providing the service last July.

His business is considered as non-essential and as such, prohibited from operating during the MCO.

The massage service is a new field that Nor Isa and his wife ventured into when their clothing business at the pasar malam folded after the first round of MCO last March.

“Last year, when the pasar malam was allowed to operate again in June, it was difficult to make money because people were not comfortable visiting pasar malam.

“By providing massages, our family finances were more stable, because we could earn up to RM300 a day.

“But with this new announcement, we are disappointed. Hopefully, it will not last beyond two weeks.”

Nor Isa said he is now ready to go into the food business as an alternative income stream.

Facing job losses

A barber in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam, is also worried that the company’s financial position would deteriorate again with the enforcement of MCO 2.0.

Walter Barbershop supervisor Shaiful Kamaluddin Hamzah hopes that MCO 2.0 would only last for two weeks and not extended.

This, he said, is because it would be difficult for the business to recover as they would have to lay off employees to ensure operations can continue.

Walter Barbershop is a chain of barbershops with branches in many parts of the country and branches in Perda have not been spared from the negative effects of the MCO.

“In Perda, after the first MCO, we had to lay off two barbers because we had to maintain social distancing in the shop and stabilise the company’s finances.

“Now, even if the shops are allowed to reopen, our average revenue will still drop by 60% and operating costs will increase to comply with the SOP (standard operating procedure) set by the Health Ministry.”

Shaiful said even if the MCO is enforced for only 14 days, it would still have a big impact on their business.

“Fourteen days of MCO will further hamper the 2021 recovery plan that has been planned.

“We had planned to revive the company but unfortunately, our hands are tied. We just hope we can still survive.”

Barbers are also prohibited from operating during the MCO.

For Permatang Pauh roadside hawker, Hardi Ismail, the focus under the MCO would be the sales of takeaway food.

“We are seeing fewer customers now but we can make a living.

“With two weeks of MCO, what can we do but to just remain calm?” said Hardi who operates a char koay teow business.

Hardi, who also has several stalls at pasar malam, was also disappointed because the business there could not continue and hoped that the government could channel some aid.

“These two weeks are not short, they are long. We hope the government can also announce some form of assistance for traders who depend on a daily income to survive.”

Special aid

Julia Saari, who sells cakes in Machang Bubuk, said she also hopes for government assistance to cover the losses incurred during the lockdown because she cannot afford to purchase many cooking ingredients.

“Small businesses like mine will have to work for three days to get back my capital.

“We understand the need for the MCO but we hope that special assistance can be given,” she said.

Julia said that assistance such as the loan moratorium is crucial because the 14-day loss of income is not easy to deal with.

“I have two children who are already working and can help me, but my husband just died.

“Children can help but, like during last year’s MCO, our lives are a little difficult. I am worried this year will be the same.”

Julia plans to reduce her operations to providing packed food for employees in the factory area.

Last Monday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the MCO will take effect on Wednesday, for 14 days.

Strict SOP is enforced in the six states that recorded the highest Covid-19 cases – Penang, Selangor, Federal Territories, Malacca, Johor and Sabah.

Under the MCO, movement is only limited to a distance of 10km to buy necessities and cross-district travel is prohibited.

Economic activities such as pasar malam, laundry shops, barbers, spa and opticians are among the prohibited services. – January 15, 2021.