Plenty to do: Naufal (top) is planning to teach people to grow their own vegetables like he has in his home. Meanwhile, Alicia (top right) will be exploring new business avenues during the lockdown. And Holyfa says she will be spending some quality time with her husband and their young family.
PETALING JAYA: As Malaysians head into a lockdown today, some have to cope with genuine concerns while others are preparing to make it a personally productive time.
Group business strategist Alicia Zulaikha, 32, said she decided to make changes to her daily plans.
“I ran some errands such as getting food and paying my utility bills so that my family can stay home without problems during the lockdown, ” she said.
As for her work, Alicia had to reposition employees in her company, which offers various services, to ensure compliance with the standard operating procedure set by the government.
“Most of the employees in my company are sole breadwinners, so I need to ensure that they can put food on the table for their families.”
Alicia said she would be working from home during the two-week lockdown by holding virtual meetings with her clients.
“I hope to explore new business opportunities and spend more time with my family at the same time, ” she added.
Administration executive Holyfa Anisha, 25, said she did not engage in panic buying after the lockdown was announced.
“I usually go grocery shopping during the weekends so I went out as usual, ” said the mother of two.
She said she would be spending more quality time with her family, including her six-year-old daughter and four-month-old son.
“My daughter is now on her mid-year school holiday. I will spend more time to take care of her and her studies, ” she added.
Holyfa will also spend more time on her hobby, which is reading.
“I love reading. I have many books in my reading list, especially novels, ” she said.
Analyst Naufal Zani, 25, said he was used to the situation now that Malaysia was experiencing its second year of the pandemic.
“The food supply would still be there and I can buy groceries online, there is nothing to be panicky about, ” he said.
Moreover, he is not very dependent on grocery stores because he has a self-sustaining garden at his apartment.
“I started growing my own food since the first movement control order last year.
“It’s a healthier and safer option to consume the food that I grow myself, ” he said, adding that he plants lettuce, cherry tomatoes, pandan leaves and beansprouts.
Since he will be working from home for two weeks, Naufal is planning to upload content daily on his social media account.
“I have been planning on creating more content on teaching everyone to grow their own food in the most affordable and sustainable way.
“It is also a fun activity with the family during the lockdown, ” he added.
Fitness coach Logan Raj, 24, said his industry has been badly affected by the MCO.
“It’s the third time the gym has been closed. To adhere to the SOP, I will be doing virtual coaching sessions, ” he said.
During his free time, he will seek more technical knowledge on how to be a better fitness coach and on business skills.
He will also try his hand on content creation.
“I just started a YouTube channel recently.
“During the lockdown, I will produce short videos to educate people about having a healthier diet in an affordable way, ” he said, adding that everyone could still stay healthy by exercising at home and having a healthy diet despite the pandemic.
