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KUALA LUMPUR (May 13): Even as the authorities allowed restaurants and eateries to have dine ins with standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as social distancing, the vast majority are still “limiting their business to takeaways”, reported the Malay Mail.
The news portal checked out a number of restaurants and found that restaurant bosses feel “it is best to continue with takeaways” to “ensure the safety of employees and customers alike”.
“On the first day of the CMCO, we tried accommodating tables with measurements for two-metre distancing in the restaurant but later abandoned the idea.
“It isn’t an easy task as we have to move several counters to accommodate the social distancing SOP,” supervisor at Restoran Al-Masyur in Taman Pelangi, Selangor, M. Jamal said.
He added that the restaurant will only “properly plan” seating arrangements for dine-ins after Hari Raya.
Meanwhile, Dulang Lima restaurant in Taman Perling, Johor said it will maintain takeaways until after the CMCO ends on May 12.
“For the time being, we cater only to takeaways and we start from 3.30pm to 8pm for the Ramadan month,” staff in-charge Saiful Riman told the news portal, adding that “it was not easy to implement the dine-in option” with the need for customers to list down their particulars.
Owner of the Hajid Shahrin Low Chinese Muslim Restaurant in Kota Damansara, Shahirah Shahrin Low, also feels that health safety is paramount.
“It is not likely we would open to dine-in customers any time soon as the situation is very uncertain. We do want to risk our employees’ safety as well as the customers’,’’ she said.
Bernama reported yesterday that Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced that dine-in at eateries will be allowed in Selangor, beginning today, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
However he said, customers at the eateries including restaurants, food courts, covered stalls and kiosks must comply with the social distancing regulation.
He said food outlet operators are allowed to fully operate, including for dine-in, from 7am to 10 pm but they must not place dining tables at the corridors or parking lots.
“Traders are encouraged to provide pre-order option to customers to avoid congestion in their premises. The local authorities will conduct spot checks from time to time to ensure that they adhere to the standard operating procedures,” he said in a statement today.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow also announced yesterday that dining-in at eateries, involving hotels, supermarkets and fast food franchises would be allowed in phases beginning Friday (May 13).
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