PENANG – A hawker at Tanjung Tokong, Penang was accused of concealing the news of his family being diagnosed with COVID-19 and continued to open his stall without quarantine, reported Sin Chew Daily.
Hearing such accusation, other hawkers from the same hawker center confronted the man and asked whether the news was true; the latter confessed that he was also tested positive for COVID-19.
Over 20 hawkers at the hawker center had closed down their stalls temporarily, and made appointment for the COVID-19 test at their own expense.
“There was one fruit vendor who continued to operate. The vendor had ordered large quantities of fruits to meet the demand for Vesak day offerings. The fruits must be sold to prevent from spoiling and wastage.”
A hawker who wishes to remain anonymous told Sin Chew Daily that the hawker was diagnosed last Thursday (May 20th), but he concealed the fact and continued to open the stall until last Saturday.(May 22nd)
“He didn’t open his stall on Sunday. Other vendors asked him after hearing the news, he only then admitted that he was diagnosed.”
Although the hawker center was not ordered to close by the Health Bureau, most hawkers still chose to close their business for safety reasons.
After receiving the news, Chris Lee Jun Kit, State Assemblyman for Pulau Tikus in Penang, and Tan Hooi Peng, a Penang Island City Council member, immediately dispatched staff to disinfect the area.
Sources: China Press, Sin Chew Daily
Editor: Raymond Chen
Proofreader: Anna Wong
