JOHOR BAHRU: Once bustling with visitors and tourists, Johor Bahru is quieter these days as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At least one hotel has shut down for good, while shopping malls look deserted, with some shops remaining shuttered.
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Commercial activities in Malaysia have been greatly impacted across the board since the government instituted the movement control order (MCO) beginning Mar 18 to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
While green light was given for most businesses to resume operations in early May, those dependent on tourists and visitors find themselves struggling to survive as travel restrictions across the globe have reduced international tourist arrival to almost zero.
With COVID-19 travel restrictions in place, Johor Bahru is quieter these days. (Photo: Fadza Ishak)
READ: COVID-19 – Some Johor Bahru eateries feel the pinch as fewer Singaporeans travel across the Causeway
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In Johor Bahrus case, the state capital is a popular destination for visitors from neighbouring Singapore to shop, dine and relax. But with border restrictions preventing Singaporeans from entering Malaysia, many businesses have slowed greatly and some were forced to call it a day to prevent further losses.
Here are some hospitality and retail businesses that have been affected:
PUTERI PACIFIC HOTEL CALLS IT A DAY
Although domestic tourism is encouraged since the interstate travel ban was lifted on Jun 10, hotels that usually cater to foreign visitors found it hard to survive.
Puteri Pacific Hotel, located about 10 minutes away from the Causeway, was popular among Singaporean visitors for its close proximity to the shopping districts and malls such as City Square and Komtar JBCC.
It was shut down as of Aug 30 after 29 years, according to media reports.
The lobby entrance of the Puteri Pacific Hotel. (Photo: Fadza Ishak)
When CNA visited the hotel last Thursday (Sep 3), the building was deserted, with the lobby entrance sealed with a “No Entry” sign. The parking area was also barricaded so no car could enter the basement.
An old sign informing guests that the hotel was closed beginning Mar 20 shortly after the MCO kicked in was still displayed on the glass doors at its entrance.
READ: COVID-19 – PM Muhyiddin hopes Malaysia, Singapore can finalise procedures for daily commuting
SLOW BUSINESS AT CITY SQUARE MALL, KOMTAR JBCC
Shopping malls in Johor Bahru, especially Komtar JBCC and City Square Mall, were popular among tourists. They are located right across from the customs, immigration and quarantine complex and have many retail outlets.
However, the two malls are now suffering from the impact of border closure due to COVID-19, according to Mr Low Kueck Shin, president of the Johor Bahru Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A quiet scene at City Square Mall in Johor Bahru. (Photo: Fadza Ishak)
Although the malls are still open for business, many outlets, ranging from well-known retailers to small businesses, were not in operation during CNAs visit.
The entrances of fast food outlet McDonald's at City Square Mall were sealed with plywood. The deserted scene was a far cry from those days when the outlet was packed to the brim with patrons, especially on weekends.
Korean restaurant Paiks Pan in City Square Mall in Johor Bahru is not in operation. (Photo: Fadza Ishak)
Other restaurants in City Square were also affected. The shutter of Paiks Pan, a Korean restaurant, was down although the chairs and tables were still in place.
A sign that said “Available Singapore Dollar” was still on display at its cashier.
A sign indicating that Paiks Pan, a Korean restaurant in City Square Mall in Johor Bahru, was frequented by Singaporeans. (Photo: Fadza Ishak)
Ms Tan Lin Min, the manager of the company which operates Paiks Pan and Bornga Korean Bbq Restaurant in City Square, said the management decided to close one of them.
The management has not indicated if Paiks Pan would reopen, she added.
An employee of a telco service centre at City Square, who wanted to be known only as Samsul, said his outlet typically served up to 10 patrons a day pre-COVID-19, but now it only has one customer a week.
READ: Fewer Malaysian confinement nannies in Singapore due to COVID-19, parents face higher costs in hiring
“We have reduced our working hours and have been closing earlier since there are not many customers around anymore. Our wages have been cut by 30 per cent so that no one would be laid off,” he told CNA.
A Japanese restaurant in Komtar JBCC is closed for business. A notice announcing its temporary closure is displayed at the outlet. (Photo: Fadza Ishak)
Over at Komtar JBCC next door, some shops including rRead More – Source
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