PPj introduces numbered pass system to address congestion at Ramadan bazaar

PUTRAJAYA, April 16 -- The Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) today began implementing a numbered pass system at the Ramadan bazaar in Precinct 3 so as to control the number of visitors and ensure that the standard operating procedures (SOP) are adhered to.

A check by Bernama at the bazaar found that visitors have been queueing up from 4.30 pm and were ween complying with the SOP including wearing face masks and checking-in via the MySejahtera application.

However, there were some visitors who still brought along children under 12 years old, although the group was not encouraged to enter the bazaar area so as to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.

Putrajaya District Police chief ACP Mohd Fadzil Ali, when met at the bazaar, said he was satisfied with the situation inside and outside of the bazaar.

“From my observation, the process of visitors entering and leaving the bazaar is in order and not crowded. I had a conversation with some visitors who were lining up and they said the waiting time was not that long,” he said.

He said eight policemen were tasked to monitor SOP compliance at the bazaar while four others would be controlling the traffic around the area.

Meanwhile, Director of Commercial, Business Development and Licensing Division of the PPj Urban Services Department Noor Sita Abbas said a total of 800 passes were provided for the bazaar, with 400 passes allocated for each of the two entrances.

“The idea was mooted following the outcome of monitoring activities since the first day of Ramadan. We found that the bazaar was quite crowded. Now, with the system, the movement of the people seems smooth and less crowded,” she said.

Noor Sita added that about 30 enforcement officers have been tasked to monitor SOP compliance at the bazaar, to be assisted by the Malaysian Volunteer Department (Rela) personnel, and would make a reminder every 30 minutes.

There are 160 stalls at the bazaar and the number of visitors can reach 20,000 people every day, she said.

In KUANTAN, senior citizens above 65 years old and children below seven years old are not allowed to visit the Ramadan bazaar starting today, said the Pahang Local Government and Housing Committee chairman Datuk Abd Rahim Muda.

A check by Bernama at the Ramadan bazaar at Jalan Beserah found that Rela members were strictly monitoring the number of visitors, with about 60 people allowed to enter the bazaar at a time, using the numbered system.

-- BERNAMA