By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SUBANG JAYA, Jan 5 — The Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) has given a grace period of three months to food traders and eatery operators in areas under its jurisdiction to comply with the order for mandatory use of face masks for its employees.
Mayor Datuk Johary Anuar said the local authority will also intensify its efforts to remind traders first, before issuing compounds.
“They have been using face masks since the Covid-19 pandemic started, and some of them still wear it to contain the spread of the virus.
“At an early stage, we will use a softer approach by educating them on the importance of adhering to the new directive from the state government, to improve the level of hygiene in food,” he said after the MBSJ’s councillors swearing-in ceremony for the 2023 term, earlier today.
Meanwhile, Johary said approximately 1,560 bazaar Ramadan lots are on offer in 26 locations since December last year.
“As of now, the online application rate stands at at 80 per cent. This year we added several more sites at strategic areas to help food traders. The application will be closed on January 15,” he said.
On December 29, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the mandatory use of face masks for hawkers and restaurant operators in the state from January 1 onwards is aimed at improving the level of hygiene in food handling.
He said this approach will also serve to increase customer confidence, in addition to preventing the spread of Covid-19 and food poisoning issues, among others.
