KUALA LUMPUR: 65 Ramadan Bazaars in Kuala Lumpur have been allowed to operate under strict standard operating procedures (SOP) starting April 13.
City Hall (Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur) in a statement today said there will be strict SOP for visitors to observe, including exercising the new normal of wearing a facemask, registering via My Sejahtera, maintaining physical distance and body temperature screening, prior to entering any of these 65 bazaars.
It said operators will be allowed to open between 3pm and 8pm throughout the fasting month but under tight and supervised SOP set by the National Security Council and the Health Ministry.
"63 of the 65 bazaars will be placed under the supervision of the bazaar organisers or associations acting as the organiser, while two others will be under the supervision of DBKL. The two locations under DBKL's supervision are the Taman Tasik Permaisuri (near Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium) car park and at Jalan 4/38A, Taman Sri Sinar, Segambut (Wisma Suhati).
"Meanwhile, the Aidilfitri Bazaar which was cancelled last year has now been allowed to operate at Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR), instead of the previous Jalan Raja.
"About 208 traders are expected to participate in this Aidilfitri Bazaar which will start on April 17 located behind Campbell Complex right up to the intersection near Masjid India, along Jalan TAR.
"The Aidilfitri bazaar, fully regulated by DBKL, will operate from 10am to midnight daily until the eve of the Hari Raya celebration," it said.
In the statement, City Hall said authoriries would also be erecting a fence along the stretch of the bazaar to facilitate visitor registration and to control crowd movement right from the entrance to the exit.
The Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman Night Market which usually happens every Saturday at Lorong TAR will be temporarily shifted to Jalan TAR throughout the month of Ramadhan, on April 17, 24, May 20, and May 8.
"The roads and access to all vehicles will be closed on these dates starting at noon until midnight. Public are advised to plan their trips ahead or take public transportation if they intend to shop in and around these areas."
It added that entry and exit to the bazaar will be scrutinised and monitored to avoid any possibility of overcrowding.
"Any visitor who fails to comply will be subjected to the law".
City Hall also reminded bazaar participants and visitors that while they have been given permission to operate despite the Covid-19 pandemic, they must be responsible in following the directives, strictly.
"Anyone who violates the SOP will face a compound up to a maximum of RM10,000 against the individual and RM50,000 for the organiser and face an immediate closure," it said.