A colour code used to track the number of visitors entering and leaving Sibu Central Market.
SIBU (Mar 1): A numbering system has been implemented in the popular Sibu Central Market to ensure the number of visitors does not exceed 650 people at any one time, said Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) market and petty traders standing committee chairman Albert Tiang.
He pointed out that a number has been set for each of the five entrances into the market.
“Gate 1, 2 and 3 where each can have up to 150 visitors at any one time, while gate 4 and the level 2 car park – each will have a maximum of 100 visitors. Meaning to say, there cannot be more than 650 visitors in the central market at each time.
“Each gate will keep the count for example, in gate 1, when the number of visitors reaches 150, the security will prohibit visitors from entering through that entrance. And each time a visitor leaves through that entrance, the number is deducted.
“The idea here is to ensure there are not more than 650 visitors in the building at any one time. We use colour codes to track the number, where blue is for visitors entering the market while red for those exiting the premises,” Tiang told The Borneo Post when contacted today.
Meanwhile, during a brief observation at the market, it was noted that many traders have yet to start trading.
The central market, which has been closed since Feb 8, resumes operations today.
The iconic market was supposed to reopen on Feb 15, but the closure was extended for another five days to Feb 19, due to an increase of Covid-19 cases at the premises. The reopening of the market was further postponed for another nine days until 28.
The popular market houses more than 1,100 hawkers.
Tiang said based on the alternate day trading, there should be 562 stalls trading daily.
“Today, it is the first day of Sibu Central Market opening, after three weeks closure.
“(But) only 144 traders turned up. Some maybe not yet stock up so cannot trade, some absent likely taking leave,” he informed.