Rokiah Mahmud

The Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) Municipal Department introduced red squares on the floor of the Gadong Wet Market to keep customers separated as they queue up to be served.

Officers from the department toured the market yesterday to ensure that people maintained a safe social distance from one another.

BSB Municipal Department senior officer at the Norhisham bin Haji Md Saini, in his capacity as Acting Deputy Chairman of the BSB Municipal Board, told the Bulletin, “These measures are meant to protect the well-being of the customers and vendors.”

He added, “The department provided several hand-washing areas for vendors and customers upon entering and leaving the premises.”

Customer Osman bin Haji Metasan said, “It’s a good reminder, since we often tend to forget about social distancing, and it helps protect us, too.”

Fish vendor Iskandar noted that despite the adverse effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on local business activities, stalls at the market are still holding up.

“Alhamdulillah, the fish market has become a place where people shop for their daily groceries and essentials,” he said.

“Our businesses are still going about as usual, as we have regular customers.”