Gerbang Malam, a popular night market in town, has returned to operation since yesterday on June 16 after three months of closure due to the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Present for moral support towards Gerbang Malam stall operators was Perak Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who said that the public has nothing to worry about because standard operating procedures (SOPs) are tightened for everyone’s health safety.
“Only 60 stalls in Gerbang Malam are allowed to operate for now by the Ipoh City Council (MBI), which is from 5pm to 12am,” he mentioned. “Besides registration of visitors’ information and body temperature screening, stalls are separated three metres from each other.
“Visitors are also directed to a one-way street to prevent crowding and physical touching,” Faizal explained.
Also present were Ipoh mayor, Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin; State Executive Councillor for Housing, Local Government and Tourism, Dato’ Nolee Ashilin Mohamed Radzi; and Tourism Perak chief executive officer, Nor Nurmalis Musa.
Meanwhile, a loyal customer of the Gerbang Malam, 32-year-old Norshida Harun from Simpang Pulai, commended the government’s decision to reopen the night market.
“We’re well-informed of the undeniable impact towards the economic sector due to the pandemic,” she expressed.
“In my opinion, reopening the night market is a reasonable initiative to regenerate businesspersons’ interrupted income,” Norshida added. “The Gerbang Malam is not only an iconic tourism destination, but the night scene in Ipoh also comes alive because of it.”
Rosli Mansor
