Adib Noor & Daniel Lim
The Ramadhan stalls, popularly known as Gerai Ramadhan, are back with a familiar yet different atmosphere due to the new normal on about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pais Si Haji’s Ausarmuddin said, “We didn’t think we could operate our stall as usual due to the third wave of the COVID-19 outbreak.”
He said he is grateful that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has allowed the Gerai Ramadhan to continue.
“It wouldn’t be a ‘proper’ fasting month without the stalls. To us, it is extra income and I am grateful to have young and eager staff that can commit to manning the stall at last moment notice,” he added.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) requires stall visitors to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as wearing face masks, practise social distancing and having green or yellow BruHealth codes.
Gerai Ramadhan visitor Rafie Nasiruddin said it is reassuring to seeing visitors and operators adhering to SOPs.
Meanwhile, Kuala Belait and Seria Municipal Board officer in charge of Gerai Ramadhan in Belait District Mohammad Azman bin Mohamed Ali said 92 stalls are taking part in the annual activity at Tudong Saji Kuala Belait and Pasarneka Seria.
He said, “There are three categories of stalls. One is for cooked food and drinks, one for open cooking and another for other products.”
Mohammad Azman said precautions taken to ensure the well-being of visitors and stall operators included controlled entry points to the stalls on top of health protocols.
The Gerai Ramadhan in Brunei-Muara District are located at Jalan Bendahara parking area in the capital and Tamu Gadong Berpayung next to Gadong Wet Market from 2-7pm.
The stalls in Belait District are at Tudong Saji Kuala Belait and Pasarneka Seria from 2-7pm.
In Tutong District, the stalls are located in front of Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital from 2-7pm.
The Gerai Ramadhan in Temburong District is located at the pedestrian area of Pekan Bangar from 1.30-6pm.
