How small business owners are still contending with the Covid-19 pandemic.

SHAH ALAM - As the Covid-19 pandemic reaches a third year, many business owners are still struggling to survive especially when prices of goods continue to rise.

The situation is also the same for small business operators that mainly depend on foot traffic for their daily income.

For a kuih kapit seller, Rohaida Abu, 30, she had to shut down her large scale manufacturing operations as she was unable to cope up with them due to reduced sales.

“Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the sales of my kuih kapit are no longer the same. Previously, I managed to sell 50 to 70 jars a day, but now I can only sell 10 to 15 jars.

“With such sales, I am unable to pay the rent and had to stop large-scale operation for the time being,” she told Sinar Harian, adding that she is also marketing her product online.

She added that she merely operates from her home now and is only able to make 15 jars a day.

Another business owner, caterer, Nurul Iziaty Zainal Azeman, 34, said the pandemic has greatly impacted her business as many of the customers had cancelled their bookings and even ask for a refund when the government imposed a movement control order.

“I lost five customers who had made the booking for their weddings, Aqiqah dan doa selamat events.

“It definitely took a toll on me but there is nothing I can do. It was hard but I had to stop business operations temporarily,” she said.

For food truck owner, Mohamad Ezanee Azis, 42, said his business was affected due to the implementation of Home Teaching and Learning (PdPR) programme.

“Previously, my business was held near the school because the target customers were the students.

"The type of foods sold were instant and cheap and it fit the needs of students," he said.

With his income is affected, Mohamad Ezanee said he stop selling fast foods and switch to selling ice cream instead.

“As of now, I had changed to selling items that don't require huge capital or even the use of a food truck. I only sell ice-creams in public places by simply displaying them on a table,'' he said.