Retail Associations Urge Government To Halt HIDE Announcements

Calling it ‘inaccurate’ and ‘premature’, shopping malls and retailers are urging the government to suspend further announcements of the Hotspot Identification by Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) system.

To give you an idea of HIDE does, under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation a list of premises flagged as potential Covid-19 hotspots is released to help the public make reasonable travel plans and decision to avoid Covid-19 infection.

This however did not go down well with business owners. Speaking to the media, four retail associations – Malaysia Shopping Malls Association, Malaysia Retailers Association, Malaysia Retail Chain Association and the Bumiputra Retailers Organisation have stepped up and condemned the list.

“We urgently urge the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to immediately suspend announcements from the HIDE system until there is clear, accurate and precise basis for the information to be released.”

Adding to the fact that they deem information shared is inaccurate, the associations also added that the list has caused “Uncertainty, panic and fear”.

151 hotspots has been identified in the list, and a closure of three days for sanitisation is currently underway.

“In view of the inaccurate information in the list, this call to close for sanitisation is premature.”

“It will cause irreversible damage to perception and business recovery and survival.”

The Health Ministry outlined that the top three sources of Covid-19 incidents were factories (48.06%), community spread (12.5%) and construction (11.56%).

“Shopping or retail areas only comprise 4.78%.”

Is HIDE a little premature? What are your thoughts on the matter? Share it with us in the comments section below.

 

Also read: Here’s A List Of Malls In Klang Valley With Confirmed Covid-19 Cases From 12 To 18 October 2020