Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee said it was best to close the market for the time being even though fewer than 20 cases had been detected, to stop the situation from getting worse.“Before reopening, we will do swab tests on all traders and hawkers to ensure public safety," he said on Monday .
According to a press release from the Penang Island City Council, the market closure would involve over 113 traders, hawkers and business owners who typically operate from 6am to 1pm, and 34 stalls in front of the wet market which opened in the evening. The council also called on all market traders to follow standard operating procedures , as action such as cancellation of licences may be taken against those who do not comply.
The council also reminded the market operators that members of the public with high-risk status on MySejahtera should not be allowed on the premises or the food complex. Lee said the market traders had voluntarily agreed to close for a few days even though the state Health Department did not order a closure.