Terengganu cancels Ramadan bazaars

KUALA TERENGGANU: All Ramadan bazaars will not be organised in Terengganu this year, state Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Dr Alias Razak said.

He said the matter was decided in the Terengganu special security committee meeting to address the Covid19 situation, which was chaired by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar on Sunday.

“As the Movement Control Order (MCO) has been extended until April 14 which is 10 days before Ramadan and considering the current uncertainty, it is only appropriate for the state government to cancel all Ramadan bazaars this year.

“The risk of close contacts is extremely high and will likely cause further spread of COVID-19, thus impeding the government’s control efforts.

“As such in eradicating the virus, the state government has called on local authorities in Terengganu to cancel all Ramadan bazaars this year,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Dr Alias said with the move, Ramadan bazaar traders have been urged to make the necessary preparation and consider other options to generate income.

“Traders are encouraged to turn to online business or home delivery services for all types of products including food, using platforms such as Grab Food, Food Panda and so forth.

“The state government has made an in-depth study on this issue and the bazaar cancellation was decided after taking into account the health and wellbeing of all quarters. May we all be given the strength and perseverance to undergo this test,” he said.

Prior to this, Negeri Sembilan government had also decided to cancel all Ramadan bazaars in the state, as announced by Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun on March 26. –