SABAH’S decision to suspend flights from China amid the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak is taking a toll on traders at the Filipino market in Kota Kinabalu.

Dependent on tourists to buy their souvenirs and trinkets, the traders told The Malaysian Insight business has taken a hit as the bulk of their customers is foreign visitors.

Souvenir trader Nik Hanifar Muzawir said sales have gone down by 50% following the novel coronavirus outbreak.

“Before this, there were many customers but sales have been affected because of the virus outbreak.

“We used to make between RM300 and RM500 a day but these days, it is difficult to get even RM100,” said the 50-year-old.

Another trader, Marina Jusoh, 45, hopes that the situation will return to normal soon.

“We need to ensure that the government can overcome this issue. Our income comes mainly from Chinese tourists,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

Fruit-seller Razman Jabar, 31, however, is supportive of the decision to bar the entry of Chinese tourists.

“The government is doing this for the safety of the people. I hope the situation will return to normal. We are also worried that our income will be affected,” he said.

Traders who are not so tourist-dependent, like clothing merchant Serimah Jail, 38, said she has both local and foreign customers.

“The impact is not significant. Most of my foreign customers are from Korea and few Chinese tourists buy clothes, anyway.

“Most Chinese tourists here prefer to explore the place.”

The Malaysian Insight found the market, which is usually a bustling hive of activity, quiet in recent days.

The market is a hit among tourists, especially for souvenir shopping, while locals buy vegetables, fruits and dry provisions.

On January 31, Sabah decided to halt flights from China into the state.

The virus, which originated from Wuhan, China, has claimed nearly 500 lives as of yesterday  while the number of confirmed cases stand at more than 24,000. – February 6, 2020.