GEORGE TOWN: Food and transport operators are looking forward to welcoming international visitors soon but will continue to remain vigilant against the threat of Omicron.
Restaurant Hameediyah director Muhammad Riyaaz Syed Ibrahim said there would still be pluses in welcoming those from overseas despite the relatively high Covid-19 cases in the region.
“Many foreigners are fond of our food as it is something they think of when travelling to Penang.
“We expect a large turnout and have planned to station more workers to control the crowd.
“The only way to ensure everyone is not exposed to the virus is to follow strict standard operating procedures. On our end, we’ll make sure our employees are quarantined if they show symptoms,” he said.
Rozaini Basharudin, a trishaw pedaller who is new to the business, said he would be happy to welcome foreign tourists from April 1 but hoped to not be exposed to Covid-19.
“I am still wary of the situation but I must have faith in the vaccine to protect me. I have enjoyed offering my services to the locals and believe that foreigners would enjoy trishaw rides as well,” he said.
Rozaini, 36, said the difference between foreigners and locals is that locals have to be approached for rides, whereas trishaw tours are a must for foreigners in Penang.
“Foreign tourists, especially those getting off cruise ships, would want to experience Penang on a trishaw. This means we will have better incomes,” he said.
Another trishaw rider, R. Khana, 70, said he was still worried about the disease.
“Foreign tourists will be great for Penang but I am old and would prefer to cater to just the locals because I know how strict our rules are in the country,” said Khana, who has been pedalling for over 20 years.
Taxi driver Ng Aik Oui, 70, said it would be great to have foreign tourists as there were days when income was scarce during the lockdown.
“I am lucky because I have a family who supports me but there are many others who depend on this income,” he said when met along Weld Quay here.
Malaysia will reopen its borders to international travellers from April 1.
On welcoming international cruise ships here, Penang Port Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Sasedharan Vasudevan said there have been requests from international carriers to come into Penang.
Sasedharan said pre-pandemic ticket sales for cruises used to start as early as 18 months.
“But now, because of Covid-19, it has eased and sales start three to six months ahead.
“We are waiting for an approval from the relevant ministries and have been working on the standard operating procedures for over two years. Once the approval is obtained, we will inform our partners as we are looking forward to welcoming them back to Penang,” he said.Meanwhile, Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the state government had not sidelined trishaw riders.
He said as of last month, the state government, through George Town World Heritage Incorporated, repaired and upgraded 20 trishaws in the state.
He added that Petace (Penang State Exco for Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage) would work closely with the relevant governmental authorities to provide shelter for trishaw pedallers.
“Petace also initiated the opening of personal bank accounts in 2020 for trishaw pedallers to better facilitate the transfer of their monthly allowances.
“We also doubled the monthly allowance from RM100 to RM200, spanning six months from June until December 2021,” he said, adding that he had recommended that the state government continue with the RM200 monthly payout for trishaw riders.