GEORGE TOWN: Boutique owner Hasna Ramili, 54, is happy that she can replenish her skincare products and supplements now that the government has loosened restrictions for those who have been fully vaccinated.

       “I used to buy skincare products and supplements once a month, and also stock up on my supplements to maintain good health.

       “During the lockdown, I didn’t buy my products online as I was worried about getting fake items, which would definitely affect my skin and health.

       “Hence, I had to use the products at home frugally as my stocks were running low,” said Hasna, who made a quick run to her regular shop to restock yesterday, now that she is fully vaccinated.

       Mechanic Tan Hock Son, 64, also dropped by a toy shop to get spare parts for his remote-control car.

       “I came to get a nitro starter kit for the engine of my remote-control car. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, I used to play with a group of enthusiasts at the Penang City Park on Sundays and public holidays.

       “It started off as a hobby some two years ago,” he said.

       Retired technician Tajul Md Yusop, 66, and his wife Rokiah Darus, 58, both fully vaccinated, were seen browsing for clothes and bags in Gurney Paragon Mall.

       “It’s been way too long since we stepped into a shopping mall, over a year ago. Now that several more sectors are allowed to reopen, we decided to check them out for good deals.

       “The mall is currently not as bustling as before, and we only managed to buy essential items, mainly food, and will be cooking at home,” said Tajul.

       Meanwhile, Nurul Ashikin Zambri, 19, who works at a clothing store, said she had served four walk-in customers since business reopened.

       “Most customers came to buy slippers and clothes for their children. As the area of our store is quite small, we only allow one fully vaccinated customer to enter at any one time.

       “For those who are either not vaccinated or only partially vaccinated, we will be their ‘personal aide’. They will tell us what they want, and we will get it the items for them,” she said.

       Jewellery store supervisor Sheila Choong, who was preparing to reopen, said they anticipated business to pick up when customers get to try out the actual items.

       “We will only allow four customers in the shop at any one time, and all items which had been tried on will be sanitised.

       “We encourage customers to spend less an hour at our store during each visit,” said Choong, who said one worker at her store has received both doses, while three others had received their first doses.

       “Disclosing the vaccination status here should be a two-way approach, so that everyone will have peace of mind,” she added.

       Home furniture store manager Ho Li Yen said she expects sales of larger furniture items to pick up with the store’s reopening.

       “After closing for walk-in customers in June, we tried selling online, but business dropped by 70% because customers cannot see for themselves or feel the items such as beds and sofas.

       “I hope with the reopening, our regulars will slowly return, though we still encourage them to make appointments to prevent overcrowding,” she said.