KUCHING: Hazy conditions have begun to take a toll on the livelihoods of roadside food sellers and delivery riders in the city, with some reporting fewer customers and orders.
For those who depend on outdoor activities to earn a living, the poor air quality has also made their daily work more uncomfortable, while reduced visibility has added to the challenges they face.
Yen Lydia, 43, who operates a roadside food business, said the haze had affected her business as fewer people were going out to buy food.
She said her daily income had decreased compared to normal days, while working outdoors had become less comfortable due to the haze and reduced visibility.
“The haze has affected my comfort while working outdoors. I sometimes experience throat irritation, coughing, and feel tired more quickly,” she said.
Yen said she had taken several precautions while continuing her business, including wearing a face mask, keeping her food properly covered and drinking more water to stay hydrated.
She said she had also adjusted her routine by limiting her outdoor activities and monitoring air quality.
But despite the conditions, Yen said she would continue operating her roadside food business unless the haze became too severe.
As for food delivery riders, prolonged exposure to the haze has also made it more difficult to carry out their daily work.
Grab rider Fadilah Osman, 26, said the haze had made his work more difficult as he spent long periods outdoors making deliveries around the city.
He said riding for extended periods had become uncomfortable due to the poor air quality and reduced visibility, requiring him to be more careful while on the road.
“I noticed that there are slightly fewer delivery orders compared to normal days, as some people prefer to stay indoors because of the haze,” he said
The reduction in orders means there are fewer deliveries to make and the conditions have also been making travelling in the city more challenging.
“I sometimes experience coughing after riding for a long time, so I wear a face mask to reduce my exposure to the haze,” he said.
Fadilah has also made some adjustments to his routine, taking more breaks and returning home earlier if he felt uncomfortable.
