GEORGE TOWN: If you have been to a place at the same time as a Covid-19 positive person, there is a chance your MySejahtera status will turn to yellow – casual contact without symptoms.

       While you will need to be aware of your physical condition after that, a check with major shopping complexes here confirms that you can still go shopping.

       Gama Supermarket and Departmental Store senior marketing manager Leong Hau Soon said as per the government’s standard operating procedure (SOP), the store accepts shoppers whose MySejahtera status is yellow.

       While the store only allows fully vaccinated shoppers, those who are casual contacts without symptoms are equally allowed.

       “Of course, those with the light brown marker which says ‘casual contact with symptoms’ aren’t allowed in, something our guards at the entrance look out for.

       “We also ensure that those who have not updated their MySejahtera app to do so before entering, to check on their latest status,” added Leong.

       Gurney Plaza Mall allows casual contacts with no symptoms too.

       “It is a responsibility of all and we ensure that the system of screening at the mall is foolproof as we do not take the risk of allowing infected shoppers in,” said plaza manager Peter Chan.

       “We even do the screening at carpark entrances. Shoppers driving in must first show their MySejahtera status to the security guards.”

       Sunshine Wholesale Mart Sdn Bhd also allows casual contacts with no symptoms to enter.

       “They are low risk and we have taken all precautionary measures. Every shopper is fully screened before they are allowed in,” said marketing and communication manager Bryan Wong.

       Over in KOTA KINABALU, anyone with “casual contact” status can enter shopping malls and most supermarkets in the city. However, they must be fully vaccinated.

       They must also show no Covid-19 symptoms.

       A quick check at Imago, Centre Point and Suria Sabah found that they allowed fully vaccinated adults entry if their MySejahtera app states “casual contact”.

       “And if you do not show any symptoms of the virus, you can enter,” said a Centre Point spokesman.

       “Have you got your full dose of vaccination at least two weeks ago? If yes, do come, don’t worry,” said a Suria Sabah representative.

       “You must make sure you are not feeling ill and have got your full vaccine dose,” said an Imago staffer.

       Due to the relaxation of numerous social and economic activities in Sabah, shopping malls are getting their crowds back.

       “We try our best to maintain and enforce the SOP, but there are times we would lose track of their movements when the crowd gets too much,” said a supervisor of a retail outlet in Imago.

       Supermarkets like Chua Kah Seng are taking a more cautious approach.

       It has a number of branches in and around the city, and depends on personnel on duty to allow or disallow a person from entering if their MySejahtera status is not “low risk”.

       “We use our discretion,” said an employee at one of its branches.