BUTTERWORTH: In a roller coaster ride, small and medium enterprises that spent all day cleaning and sanitising their shops, found themselves locking their doors again.
The state government announced the movement control order (MCO) would remain until May 13, which is different from the easing of restrictions under the conditional MCO starting today as announced by the Federal Government last week.
Though disappointed by the state's decision that was announced at 2.30pm yesterday, furniture shop managing director Datuk Ng Hooi Lai, 68, said he would comply.
"I was looking forward to resuming business. We sanitised everything, " he said.
"I wish the state and federal authorities could be more coordinated, but I am willing to comply for the safety of customers and employees, "
Ng said he was happy when the prime minister announced the conditional MCO last Friday.
"Now we must wait till May 13. We closed our branches since March 18.
"We've had hardly any income. I had to fork out more than RM100,000 for rental and my workers' salaries.
"To generate sales during the MCO, we turned to online platforms to sell our furniture, " he said at his shop in Seberang Jaya yesterday.
Ng confessed he was a bit worried about reopening his shops because he was not sure how to do it.
"The SOP given is not clear and we are not sure how to manage our orders, " he said.
"There are some customers who want to buy furniture but we put some orders on hold as we are not sure of the guidelines, " he added.
He said typically, the furniture business would peak just before the Hari Raya celebrations and in the previous years, his company could generate a turnover of RM1mil.
When finally allowed to reopen, Ng said he planned to allow only five customers in at any one time.
"Customers will have to register themselves and provide us with their names, contact numbers, addresses, purpose and the time of entry, " he said.
"All customers will be scanned for their temperature and they have to practise social distancing.
"Our sales promoters will also wear gloves and masks at all times, " he added.
The company's accounts clerk, Ooi Hooi Thin, said she had only been going to the office for a few hours once a week since March 18.
"I am happy that I can finally go back to work but at the same time, I'm worried as the virus spread has not been contained yet nationally.
"As I am an accounts clerk, I feel relieved as I do not need to deal directly with clients.
"I will put on my mask and use hand sanitiser frequently to keep myself and others safe, " the 29-year-old said.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar