PETALING JAYA: Business at malls and retail outlets are expected to be slow for the next few months despite the conditional movement control order (CMCO), says the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA).

Its president Datuk Seri Garry Chua said currently, the thriving areas in malls were the supermarket and grocery sections.

“The other retail outlets have very little business. In Selangor, people are not even allowed to dine in.

“I mean, it’s good that with the conditional MCO, regulations are eased up and more businesses can start but it won’t pick up that soon,” he said.

Chua said most malls and retail outlets were quiet during the Mothers Day weekend.

He said it would take at least three months for business to pick up.“We expected business to pick up this month but that isn’t the case, and after Hari Raya, we expect it to be slower,” he said.

Chua said people were still worried about the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, he said it was everyone’s responsibility to fight the virus, not just the government.

“I believe all MRCA members have followed the standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the government before opening up to ensure that everyone is safe.

“So it is a concerted effort by all parties,” he said.

Chua said it was vital to find a “clever balance” to ensure that lives, safety and the economy were safeguarded.

Having the conditional MCO was vital to ensure that jobs were saved but at the same time, necessary measures must be in place to ensure safety, he added.

When asked on the announcement by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that the government could ban parents from bringing their children to public places and shopping malls, Chua said everyone must be responsible.

He said families with young children or elderly relatives should not be encouraged to bring them out to public spaces and shopping malls.

“I think when you talk about children, they shouldn’t be too young, maybe slightly older, above

10 years old, and as long as they follow the guidelines.

“As for elderly parents or relatives, especially those who are vulnerable and not too well, I think they should stay home and not expose themselves.

“But sometimes, it is difficult for parents as their younger kids may insist on following them so I believe the situation would depend on each household,” he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/13/retail-business-expected-to-be-slow