THERE were more cars on the city roads today, the first day of the controlled movement-control order (CMCO), but it was generally quiet with most businesses still shut.

A visit by The Malaysian Insight found that the usually packed and bustling Pavilion Mall in the city centre was hushed with only a few patrons making their way to eateries.

Inside the mall, several retail outlets remained closed, while others were preparing to open.

Certain outlets and restaurants that opened followed the standard operating procedure strictly – patrons had to give their contact details before entering the premises.

In Bukit Bintang, there were no particular large crowds except for those making their way to banks.

Several restaurants were still practising takeaways instead of having dine-ins.

The CMCO, which began today was to allow most economic sectors to reopen for business. They, however, will have to follow several restrictions set by the government.

Simon, who has been operating a restaurant in Bukit Bintang for two years, said he expected a surge in customers today, but told The Malaysian Insight it is another slow business day.

“People are still cautious. There are still cases in Malaysia.

“They know there is still a risk if they come out,” said the 50-year-old.

The food business operator said he has no choice but to open his restaurant as he still has to pay high rental.

Simon said despite given permission to allow dine-ins, he is considering the safety of his workers.

“I have no choice but to operate because we have to pay rental to the landlord. If given a choice, I will close but I’m already suffering losses.

“I still stick with takeaways even if it doesn’t give me much profit because at the end, safety is more important,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Imran, who operates a Pakistani restaurant in Bukit Bintang, also said people are worried despite the government’s leeway.

Imran said he expects the situation to be the same until the number of new cases drops to single digits.

“Today is the first day, I literally have no customers until now.

“I think there won’t be many people on the streets for quite some time, until at least the number of cases are below 10  because people are worried,” said the 40-year-old.

Imran said people would rather pack food from restaurants or cook their own because they feel safer when they are not in crowds.

“We don’t allow dine-ins. I think people also feel safer with takeaways.”

A nearby coffee shop owner, who only wanted to be known as Tong, 61, said he took the trouble to set up the shop over the weekend, but there were only a handful of customers who wanted to dine-in.

“Looking at the way business is going, I think I might go back to takeaways because not many are coming for dine-in.

“People are scared that they might get infected. We also don’t want to take the risk,” he said.

Tong predicts it will take at least six months before people are comfortable dining out.

Meanwhile Kuala Lumpur traffic investigation and enforcement head Zulkefly Yahya said city traffic today was up nearly 30% from yesterday.

The conditional MCO also saw roadblocks in eight locations removed.

“We received instructions from the Kuala Lumpur police chief to end the roadblocks as well as the road closures in the federal capital, ” he said.

He said police would now focus on road safety via operations targeting drunk drivers and road bullies.

“We will also assist in surveilling public places and car parks.”

Malaysia yesterday reported 122 new Covid-19 infections, taking the tally so far to 6,298 cases. Two more deaths were also reported, taking the death toll to 105. – May 4, 2020.