PETALING JAYA: Permission for the floral industry to operate during the lockdown beginning Saturday (June 12) brings great relief for businesses in the industry, say floral shop owners.
Florist and event planner Norshahayati Sabarudin said with the lockdown, daily economic activities had been affected, especially local businesses and small enterprises like hers, so it was a big relief that she was allowed to resume business.
"We actually got many demands from customers, but we couldn't operate during the lockdown.
"For me, as our country’s pandemic situation is still worrying, I hope we can continue to do our best in keeping ourselves safe and complying with the prescribed SOPs," she said.
The 30-year-old floral shop owner from Kuantan said she understands the current situation and accepts that she could not open her business for normal operations.
However, she hoped that the government would allow floral businesses to operate for delivery to help ease the financial burden on their businesses.
Founder of floral shop Dede flowers & Gifts Karen Liew Li Ping said the lockdown has been challenging for her business, as she had only recently opened a new branch in Petaling Jaya when the lockdown was enforced.
"The lockdown has definitely affected our sales and operations, as we had planned to open a new branch.
"We just managed to get the key and set up the Wi-Fi to our new branch," she said.
Liew said she had also received orders from customers but was unable to fulfil them as there were no suppliers that were operating.
With the permission for the industry to operate, she said she will be receiving the supply of flowers soon in the next few days and resume operations via delivery.
"Although the flower sales will be limited to religious and cultural purposes, it is still a relief and we have a cafe operating, which is also helpful for the business," she said.
Liew expressed hope that the government will also allow the sale of flowers as gifts via deliveries, as it can be a therapeutic remedy to relieve stress during the lockdown.
General manager of Weng Hoa Flower Boutique Sdn Bhd, who only wanted to be known as Neela, said she is thankful for the groups that played a part in allowing the floral industry to operate during this lockdown.
"I am so relieved. When they had announced this lockdown, I was very worried, because I had certain priorities to fulfil.
"The news that the floral industry would be allowed to operate was a big relief for me, as we were unable to even provide flowers for customers' daily religious and prayer requirements," she said.
She hoped other industries affected by the lockdown would also soon be allowed to operate, similar to how the floral industry was given permission to operate while respecting the SOPs.
The floral industry has been allowed to operate during the ongoing lockdown starting Saturday, with permission to sell flowers for religious and cultural purposes and under strict standard operating procedures.
This is following flower farmers' plight of having to dump their harvest and small-time flower traders who had lost their source of income since the lockdown was enforced on June 1.
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/06/13/permission-for-floral-businesses-to-operate-brings-relief-to-owners-operators