MIRI: Miri City Council (MCC) issued a closure notice to Saberkas Night Market on Tuesday after finding traders at the market had failed to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) imposed under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Miri mayor Adam Yii disclosed that the Saberkas Night Market had not been opening since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced on March 18 this year.
(Standing from right) Karambir, Yii and others giving the thumbs up to some volunteers who supported the Miri City Day blood donation campaign at MRC Miri Chapter training centre yesterday.
But after Miri was declared as a green zone and following easing of restrictions under the CMCO which allowed most business sectors to reopen, the traders at Saberkas Night Market requested that they be allowed to operate which the council agreed to but on strict conditions, Yii pointed out.
“We then conducted some discussions with the traders and they said they would comply with the SOP if they are allowed to resume business activities.
“However, when the night market reopened for business for two days last week, we found out that it was very difficult for the traders to enforce the SOP because too many people were patronising the market. After further discussion on the matter, we decided to serve closure notice to Saberkas Night Market because we cannot ensure the traders can comply with the SOP as precautionary measure against the Covid-19 outbreak,” he stated when met after gracing the Miri City Day blood donation drive at Malaysia Red Crescent (MRC) Miri Chapter’s training centre yesterday.
Therefore, he sought total understanding from the traders for the sake of public health.
On the blood donation drive, he said the event was organised by MRC Miri District Blood Donors Recruitment Committee, MCC and Miri Hospital Blood Bank.
He added the blood donation drive was also to mark the 15th anniversary of the elevation of Miri to a city.
“This blood donation campaign has a practical purpose as the blood stock at Miri Hospital has to be built up for the upcoming Hari Raya and Gawai festive seasons.”
He said a total of 54 people came forward to support the event and only 42 successfully donated their blood.
All those who registered for the event were given four pieces of face masks as a gesture of appreciation.
All hygiene procedures such as social distancing and sanitisation of premises were practised throughout the campaign.
Also present were organising chairman councillor Karambir Singh and Miri Hospital Blood Bank staff Kenneth Numan.