MBKS to revoke licence if traders fail to close operation by 10 pm

Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has issued a warning to revoke the business licences of traders in the city if they were fined by enforcement agencies for failing to comply with the order to stop operations after 10 pm.

This was following the directive of the State Disaster Management Committee which limits the operation hours for Zone 1 namely Kuching, Samarahan and Serian, between 6 am to 10 pm beginning Aug 1, due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in the areas.

Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the stern action has to be taken as there have been warnings for the traders to adhere to all directives and standard operating procedures (SOP) since the Movement Control Order began on March 18.

“After you are fined, we (MBKS) will revoke your business licence,” he said when visiting the Stutong Community Market here, which reopened today after it was directed to close for 14 days when one of the traders was found to be COVID-19 positive.

He said currently, the police were the main enforcement agency to ensure all traders comply with the stipulated directives and SOP to prevent the disease in the city.

Therefore, Wee urged all traders in the city, such as those operating coffee shops, hair salons, massage centres or others, to stop their business operations by 10 pm as directed.

“When it is time to close, please do so. When customers are sitting closely to one another, ask them to maintain physical distance. These are the basic things that you must adhere to,” he said.

Wee also urged the public not to spread any rumours or politicised the closure of the Stutong Community Market as it has to be done after becoming a COVID-19 cluster in the city.

He also denied the rumours which claimed that the traders have been operating illegally at other places during the closure, as they have been undergoing the home quarantine as directed by Health Ministry.

-- BERNAMA