PETALING Street hawkers in the capital’s Chinatown have been struggling with Covid-19’s impact on business, with some making just enough sales to eat for the next few days.

The area depends largely on foreign visitors for business to be profitable. With borders closed for two years, revenue has plunged and traders are living hand-to-mouth.

Traders hope things will change once the country’s borders open to international travellers come April 1, and until then, have to contend with a drop in earnings from local customers.

Many have cut their operating hours, seeing no point in staying open all day.

Noodles hawker Lee Swee Siong said business from locals has been best on weekends, when he makes enough for food and necessities to last him the coming week.

Lee originally ran his stall inside a food court. But he moved out to operate from a roadside stall after the food court’s business dwindled due to Covid-19 lockdowns.

“Once there were no more crowds, no one would go to the food court.

“At least at the roadside, customers can see us and may want to buy the food.

“But, business is still very poor. It is only during the weekends I make enough money to buy food and clothes.”

On weekday mornings, Lee depends on office workers in the area.

He closes shop in the afternoon, as from then on, only traders selling clothes, bags and watches, are left to continue plying their wares.

“I’ve been depressed with the situation. I don’t know what to do but to keep on going.”

Lee said he has never thought about relocating as he knows no other work or place to go to. He has been selling food on Petaling Street for 40 years.

With the borders reopening soon, he is hopeful that tourists will help revive the hustle and bustle of Petaling Street.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that Malaysia will begin transitioning to the endemic phase starting April 1. This includes allowing international travellers into the country for the first time in two years. Quarantine is not needed, provided travellers are fully vaccinated or boosted, and they are still subject to pre-departure and arrival testing.

While looking forward to April 1, Lee said he is also cautious because of the more infectious Omicron strain.

Pancake (apam balik) stall owner Ho Ah Long said her business recovered after lockdowns were lifted and improved during Chinese New Year last month, but then the Omicron wave hit and customers immediately stopped coming.

“When Omicron hit, business immediately deteriorated by 50%,” said Ho, who has worked on Petaling Street selling her sweet treat for 30 years.

She used to open her stall from 11am to 10pm, but now she opens from 10am to 5pm.

“There are hardly any customers. It is better to close shop and go home early to rest.”

Meanwhile, Chong Yoke Yan of the long-established Ho Yoke Kee rice dumpling restaurant, said sales have been gradually improving.

“This year business has recovered by 20% to 30% of the previous volume because we have extended our services by providing an online option.

“I had to adapt because of the lockdowns,” she said.

Ho Yoke Kee has been operating out of Petaling Street for 81 years. It is a popular food spot for locals and foreigners, especially Singaporeans.

Even without tourists, the restaurant has been able to stay afloat thanks to locals.

However, Chong also shortened the restaurant hours as Petaling Street became mostly deserted in the afternoons.

“We used to open until 9pm, but now by 12pm or 1pm, we’ve already packed up as there are no customers.”

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who announced on February 6 that Malaysia was then fully into the Omicron wave, said infections caused by the new variant would take about two months before it subsided.

Malaysia has been reporting around 30,000 fresh infections in recent weeks. – March 12, 2022.