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GEORGE TOWN: Many street food vendors at the once famous food hub on Gurney Drive here are hoping authorities will allow them just one table for two customers to dine as it could significantly ease their current struggle during the latest move. control order (OLS).
Rojak vendor Tan Swee Hoe, 59, told Bernama that business has been tough for him during the MCO and that those who came to order takeout were his regular customers or food delivery services.
He said it would be much more convenient for both street vendors and their customers if they could have just one table and two seats for dinner.
“Having a table means that we can easily serve our food right in front of the table and customers can enjoy it on the spot,” he said.
Tan added that last month, when Penang was in the MCO recovery phase (RMCO), business was much better as its main target audience was tourists.
“Now that we are back in the MCO, with interstate travel restricted and dining inside not allowed, all we can do now is hope and pray for the best,” he said.
According to Tan, there are about 111 street vendor stalls at the Gurney Drive food hub, and if it weren’t for the MCO, at least 40 stalls would open on Fridays.
However, a review by Bernama yesterday at the food center here found that only six stalls were operational.
Meanwhile, the owner of the Pasembur Rojak stall, P Devi, 40, wished the pandemic would end and the MCO could get up soon, so that her business, which she operates with her husband, M Raja, 45, could return. to normal.
He said that last month, with the closing of schools followed by the end of the year school holidays, their business was doing well and they could earn between RM800 and RM1,000 on the weekends.
“Now we literally have no customers, not even those in food delivery services. Last weekend, when we were operating from Friday to Sunday, we couldn’t sell a single dish for three days in a row, ”he said.
He said it was the first time this had happened to them since they started their Pasembur Rojak business some 28 years ago.
He hoped the government might consider allowing street vendors to set up a table for two to eat, just so they could keep their business going through these tough times.
“Not only can it be a fast and convenient service for sellers and buyers, but customers can also enjoy the atmosphere here,” he said.
On Thursday, the Chief Minister of Security and Minister of Defense, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, announced that food establishments and restaurants can operate until 10:00 p.m., starting yesterday, when the entire peninsula came under the control of the MCO.
A Muar Chee stall owner, who wanted to be known as “Miss Lai,” said it is a step forward for street vendors that the federal government has decided to extend its hours of operation from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. hours.
The 51-year-old said the extended hours could give customers more time to order takeout for dinner.
“Before this, when we had to close our stall early at 7:30 pm. M., Most of the people were getting ready to go home and didn’t have time to order takeout for dinner, so the extension gives both street vendors and customers additional breathing space, ”he added.
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