Ramadan is traditionally a lucrative time for food vendors in Muslim-majority countries, with more people going out for late-night meals after breaking their fast at sunset.

But the global virus outbreak, with more than 5&nbsp;million people infected, has led to widespread curbs.

Malaysian authorities have imposed a&nbsp;lockdown until June 9&nbsp;and called off Ramadan bazaars. They are usually attended by packed crowds and feature hundreds of stalls selling food for iftar, or the fast-breaking meal.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tourists-visiting-malaysia-to-pay-for-mandatory-quarantine-minister-300083" hreflang="en">Tourists visiting Malaysia to pay for mandatory quarantine: Minister</a>

The movement curbs have forced thousands of street hawkers and vendors to embrace digital platforms, mirroring a shift in neighbouring Indonesia, where roadside businesses enjoy a sizeable online presence.

<img alt="Ramzan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f90467b7-3411-45cd-a629-d34efbf143fc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2020-04-28T020051Z_1432924453_RC2EDG9LKPAP_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-RAMADAN-MALAYSIA%20%281%29-1588047856.jpg" /> 
An online Ramadan bazaar trader wraps "Popiah" spring rolls at his home, during the movement control order due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia

“In Indonesia, you can order pretty much anything you want on an app,” said Rosli Sulaiman, president of the Malaysian Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Association.

“Here we have to do a bit more educating as most vendors are used to just being on the street. Going online or dealing with cashless transactions will be something new for them.”

Malaysian hawkers have been badly hit by the curbs, with estimated losses of about 50 million ringgit&nbsp; for some 100,000 traders.

To soften the impact, several companies have developed e-bazaar platforms to help Ramadan traders partner with delivery companies and reach more customers online.

Many small food businesses, however, prefer marketing directly to customers on social media as they do not earn enough profit to share with delivery firms.

Dozens of Ramadan bazaar groups have popped up on Facebook, where sellers can offer cash-on-delivery services to customers closest to them.

Virtual bazaars have also been set up in Singapore, which cancelled Ramadan markets last month.

The pandemic has heavily impacted observance of Ramadan, traditionally a month when Muslims spend most of their time with families and attend nightly mass prayers at mosques.

Ramadan is traditionally a lucrative time for food vendors in Muslim-majority countries, with more people going out for late-night meals after breaking their fast at sunset.

Ramadan is traditionally a lucrative time for food vendors in Muslim-majority countries, with more people going out for late-night meals after breaking their fast at sunset. But the global virus outbreak, with more than 5 million people infected, has led to widespread curbs. Malaysian authorities have imposed a lockdown until June 9 and called off Ramadan bazaars. They are usually attended by packed crowds and feature hundreds of stalls selling food for iftar, or the fast-breaking meal. Also read: Tourists visiting Malaysia to pay for mandatory quarantine: Minister The movement curbs have forced thousands of street hawkers and vendors to embrace digital platforms, mirroring a shift in neighbouring Indonesia, where roadside businesses enjoy a sizeable online presence. An online Ramadan bazaar trader wraps "Popiah" spring rolls at his home, during the movement control order due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia “In Indonesia, you can order pretty much anything you want on an app,” said Rosli Sulaiman, president of the Malaysian Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Association. “Here we have to do a bit more educating as most vendors are used to just being on the street. Going online or dealing with cashless transactions will be something new for them.” Malaysian hawkers have been badly hit by the curbs, with estimated losses of about 50 million ringgit for some 100,000 traders. To soften the impact, several companies have developed e-bazaar platforms to help Ramadan traders partner with delivery companies and reach more customers online. Many small food businesses, however, prefer marketing directly to customers on social media as they do not earn enough profit to share with delivery firms. Dozens of Ramadan bazaar groups have popped up on Facebook, where sellers can offer cash-on-delivery services to customers closest to them. Virtual bazaars have also been set up in Singapore, which cancelled Ramadan markets last month. The pandemic has heavily impacted observance of Ramadan, traditionally a month when Muslims spend most of their time with families and attend nightly mass prayers at mosques.

Malaysia's traditional Ramzan markets go digital amid pandemic

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Malaysia's traditional Ramzan markets go digital amid pandemic