Stricter MCO rules for Penang's Air Itam market

GEORGE TOWN (March 30): There will now be stricter MCO rules imposed on Penang’s Air Itam market, reported Malay Mail.

This was because the social distancing guidelines have been ignored by shoppers and shops.

So, the authorities have cordoned off Jalan Paya Terubong from the Air Itam police station until the junction of Jalan Kampung Pisang, and “only allowed the public to walk the 200m to the market complex”, reported the news portal.

Northeast District Police chief Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong told Malay Mail that the road will remain closed throughout the movement control order (MCO) and “will not be open to traffic even in the afternoons”.

“There were numerous reports that the people in Air Itam market had failed to practise social distancing so we have to resort to closing this road and have fixed only one entry and one exit point,” he explained to the media after witnessing crowd control in the market.

Soffian said the cops opted for the road closure since “they could not halt activity at the market as it caters to residents in Air Itam, Air Putih, Paya Terubong and Farlim”.

“If we close it down, the crowd may spillover in other smaller markets and worsen the situation,” he added.

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