Sandakan residents taking MCO rules more seriously
A growing number of sundry shop owners and residents are taking Social Distancing and other Movement Control Order (MCO) rules more seriously.
Taren Sunil Manoharan, the head of the Highway & Public Utilities Committee (HPUC), advised those who take the matter lightly to change their ways or face drastic consequences.
“Most supermarkets in Sandakan have apparently already implemented the one-meter rule of Social Distancing at their premises. They have marked the floor with tape for the convenience of customers but sadly not all of them are able to fully enforce the rules either because of unruly customers, staff shortcomings or a combination of both,” noted Taren Sunil who referred to a recent TV news broadcast on the matter.
“However, it is good to know that many of the smaller sundry shops and fresh marts are now also trying to enforce the Social Distancing rule. Most of them are now also doing their best to limit the number of customers entering their shops to five persons at any one time,” he added.
He pointed out that the constant reminders and warnings by the government and other authorities are beginning to be understood and accepted by the general public but many are still not reacting fast enough to comply with the guidelines of the CMO.
“Everyone has an important role to play in the battle against the scourge of Covid-19. The key thing to do first of all is to stay at home as advised constantly by our Prime Minister on TV and in the news media. However, when it is absolutely necessary to go out to buy your groceries and other necessities, please strictly follow the policy on Social Distancing and other requirements under the CMO,” stressed Taren Sunil.
He expressed his thanks and appreciation to Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong for sending his UPPM office team to help many of the sundry shops to mark the correct distance on the ground with red coloured tapes and advising them on the guidelines for implementation.
“We hope and expect the shop owners and their workers to strictly implement the rules for the health and welfare of all customers and also their own shop assistants,” added Taren Sunil.
While he was happy that more and more people in Sandakan are now following the MCO rules, he lamented that there are still many who are quite stubborn. He urged them to think wisely for their own good as well as that of the public.
“They have been reminded and warned countless times that our country is facing a very grave pandemic situation. In fact some who defied the Movement Control Order have been jailed and/or fined but there are still those who think they can get away with such behaviour,” he said.
Taren Sunil pointed out that the Singapore government has just passed a law to imprison and impose hefty fines on those who are caught intentionally disobeying the Social Distancing guidelines. Offenders could be jailed up to six months and fined S$10,000.
“Those people here in Malaysia who are still too stubborn or could not care less about the Covid-19 problem should immediately change their attitude. Please don’t wait until the situation gets so critical that our government and other local authorities are forced to take drastic action against them,” warned Taren Sunil.