The economic impact of Covid-19 is becoming more evident day by day as social media users documents the long queue at pawnshops nationwide on the first day of the conditional movement control order (CMCO), today.
Malaysians have taken to social media to reveal the long snaking lines queuing up at their local pawnshops in Johor, Perak, Perlis, and Kuala Lumpur to name a few, since this morning.
People are also racing to the pawn shops to pay the interest on their loans so as not to lose for good the items they have pledged as collateral.
Among the pictures circulating on social media is the long queue in front of the Shin Ngien Pawn Shop in SS9, Petaling Jaya. The queue had even extended to a few shops down from the pawnshops is.
At a pawn shop in Kuala Lumpur, the owner took the customers’ temperature and allowed only three people at a time into the shop.
However, the people in the queue outside did not practise social distancing
Malaysia Pawnbrokers Association president Tan Ho Keng said big crowds had gathered at the pawn shops in several states.
“Due to the shops being closed since March 18 and only reopening today, many customers have rushed to pay the interest on their pawned items.
“Some have redeemed their items while others have pawned something in exchange for cash,” he said.
He said assured the customers there is no need to worry their pledges being forfeited as the government has asked the industry to give the customers a three-month grace period to repay their loans.
He said pawnbrokers will adhere to government health and safety guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19.