By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Jan 2 — The public is asked to make complaints to the authorities or local representatives if they find any food vendors violating the rules for wearing face masks.
Seri Setia state assemblyman Halimey Abu Bakar said the community should be aware of the issue because hawkers and restaurateurs are often exposed to infectious diseases.
“Traders, especially chefs or food providers, are exposed to various things that can cause infectious diseases. I even saw some (cooks) smoking and then not washing their hands before cooking.
“So, complaints from the community are important in addition to local authority monitoring. They have to take it seriously and make an immediate complaint through the right channels so that action can be taken,” he said when contacted by SelangorKini.
Halimey also recommended that local authorities give a warning to traders who fail to comply with the relevant instructions before imposing stricter measures.
“At the initial stages, it would be best if we give a warning first and entering the second month of implementation, action should be taken so that they obey the instructions issued by the Selangor government.
“Enforcement should be done because I have seen not only street vendors but also restaurateurs not taking care of cleanliness,” he said, suggesting that the wearing of aprons should be obligatory.
On December 29, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the use of face masks was mandatory for hawkers and restaurant operators in the state from January 1 to improve the level of hygiene in food handling.
He said the approach can also increase customer confidence in addition to avoiding the spread of Covid-19 and food poisoning issues.
