JOHOR BARU, Nov. 24 -- It is no exaggeration to say most of the businesses here relied on customers from across the Causeway.

Since the Malaysia-Singapore border closed in March this year, businesses in what is popularly known as the JB city centre have suffered.

Before the shutdown, this was a lively area where you could find restaurants and other businesses open till the wee hours of the morning.

Now, businesses are not only suffering from the lack of Singaporean shoppers but also from restrictions put in place because of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

With no sign that the economy will recover this year, many have placed their hopes on next year instead.

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