PETALING JAYA, Feb 8 (Sin Chew Daily) – Unlike in the past, many local hawkers are expected to open for business this Chinese New Year.

During a telephone interview with Sin Chew Daily, the Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Association Malaysia vice president Chen Lian Fa said he believed more vegetable and food hawkers will open for business this year, as Malaysians are not allowed to travel out of their own districts and states to their hometowns to celebrate the festive season with their families.

He said many people prefer not to step out of their own houses due to the movement control order and will tend to buy their food online.

As such, hawkers that do not provide online delivery service will see their businesses badly affected.

As dininig-in is till not allowed, many eateries have offered special packages for festive dishes for delivery to their customers.