Philip Seli Viecent
BINTULU: Workers here are generally relieved at being able to return to work following the implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Sarawak on Tuesday.
With most economic sectors now allowed to resume operations after nearly two months since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced nationwide on March 18 to tackle the spread of Covid-19, many are looking forward to resuming their day-to-day activities even if under the conditions of the ‘new normal’.
Philip Seli Viecent, 54, said he believes workers are definitely pleased at being able to return to work and put food on the table, particularly those hard-hit financially by the MCO.
“People are naturally still very cautious because the fight against Covid-19 has not ended.
The worry is over those who are asymptomatic as they could have the virus without knowing it because they do not show any symptoms.
“However with the standard operating procedure (SOP) put in place by respective employers for their workers as well as customers entering their premises, I believe we can together control the virus and cut the chain,” said Philip, who is assistant vice-president of a leading commercial bank in the state.
He said those hardest hit by the MCO were daily-paid workers, as well as those in the tourism industry, small and medium enterprises, and coffee shop sector.
“Some were without jobs and pay, some furloughed by employers, some had their pay cut.
These people have been struggling to put food on the table for their family over the past two months.
“Fortunately, the federal and state governments came out with some packages to alleviate some of the suffering during the MCO,” he added.
Simon Alan
Taxi driver Simon Alan, 54, said while he expects business to now pick up, he is also wary of the risk of being exposed to Covid-19.
“As taxi drivers, we are always worried of being infected as we transport passengers of all backgrounds, including foreigners.
“The only thing we can do is to minimise the risk by strictly following the SOP –wearing face mask, using hand sanitiser and disinfecting our vehicles every time after sending passengers,” he said.
According to Simon, only about 20 per cent of taxi drivers in Bintulu chose to continue operating during the MCO while the others opted to stay at home.
He said during the MCO, their earnings dropped by between RM30 and RM50 per day, and to compound their suffering, they have yet to receive any financial aid from the federal and state governments.
“I really hope the government can expedite the distribution of the financial aid to us taxi drivers to help ease our burden,” he said.
For 38-year-old Chieng Hok Kon, who helps out at his family’s grocery store in Sungai Nyigu, he said he was glad that businesses in the state have been allowed to resume operations.
He said even though his store remained open during the MCO, they chose to limit the number of customers allowed to enter at any one time and would continue doing so even though Bintulu is classified as a Covid-19 green zone.
“We are still hesitant about allowing more customers to enter our premises at any one time.
I think this scenario will continue even after Hari Raya and Gawai,” he said.
He said although he would have preferred if the number of Covid-19 cases in the state hit zero for an extended period before the economy was reopened, he understood that many were struggling after having no income for nearly two months.
Chieng Hok Kon
Chieng, who is also an e-hailing driver, said he has been scared to accept passengers since the first positive case was recorded in Bintulu, especially as those who utilise the service in his area are foreigners.
“I worry that I would unknowingly become infected from passengers and later transmit it to my young children at home.”
Takaful agent Yu Ming Hoon, 38, said the reopening of most economic sectors under the CMCO would definitely bring a positive impact to the economy in general.
“As long as we observe social distancing, wear face mask and emphasise on personal hygiene, I’m not afraid of people resuming work,” said Yu.
Meanwhile, promoters at shopping malls here also welcomed the government’s decision to allow non-essential services to resume full operations.
Dorothy Aling, 24, and Syafika Zakir said they were relieved at being able get back to work even though life would not be the same as before the MCO.
Both believe that as long as the people adhere to the SOP, the risk of being infected is low.
“I hope the virus will go away soon because for us promoters, it is financially very challenging under the MCO,” said Dorothy.