Restaurant operators are taking a cautious approach after Putrajaya allowed them to cater to dine-in customers starting tomorrow.
They are still looking into how to meet the new, stricter regulations imposed during the conditional movement-control order.
For now, many remain committed to making their takeaway arrangements stay since the start of the MCO on March 18.
Malaysian Indian Muslim Restaurant Owners’ Association (Presma) president Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said while its members have accepted Putrajaya’s decision positively, most still prefer to focus on takeaways.
“Some of our members said they would like to open their shop within the operation time given but some said they would like to maintain (only doing) takeaways, probably until after Hari Raya.
“Our workers’ safety is also a concern as the risk of contracting the Covid-19 virus is still there.”
Jawahar said despite restaurants wanting to comply with the guidelines, many face challenges doing so.
“Taking customers’ temperatures and providing hand sanitisers are fine but taking contact details would be an issue. Not everyone will cooperate as it’s personal and we cannot force them.”
Another issue is the ruling that there be a two-metre distance between tables, he said. For smaller shops, this would be impossible as some only have space for four to five tables as it is.
“So, to bypass all these issues, some of our members prefer to just do takeaways,” he said, adding that any decision to open a restaurant and allow dine-ins rests solely on the owner.
Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners’ Association (Primas) president T Muthusamy also said it would be challenging to meet all the rules set for in-house dining.
The association is sceptical about how all the new measures can be met but has advised members to liaise with the local authorities on any matter.
“The owners should consider this from their capacity and see if it can be implemented. If they can guarantee that their workers’ and customers’ safety are not compromised, then they can go ahead and operate.
“In such cases, we, as the association, can only advise them, but the decision is theirs.”
On Friday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said restaurants can restart dine-in operations from May 4 under strict health standard operating procedures (SOP).
Eateries must ensure workers and customers observe social distancing on their premises by arranging tables and chairs at least 2m apart and record customers’ contact details in the event a Covid-19 infection is detected so that other patrons can be traced for screening.
Too risky
Meanwhile, Oscar Beh Wing Hock, 38, an economy rice restaurant owner, said that it would be too risky to allow dine-in now and that he would continue with takeaways only.
He said as his shop is not that large, complying with the two-metre distancing for tables rule would be difficult to arrange.
“We have decided to continue with takeaways until an announcement is made that we can operate at full capacity.
“Also, takeaways do not require us to take down contact details,” he said.
Beh said many individuals, especially families, will likely remain cautious and choose not to dine-in at restaurants for the time being.
“They would rather pack food and eat at home because that is safer,” he said.
Shaik Fazrin, a nasi kandar restaurant owner, said mamak restaurants, too, will have problems with the government’s strict conditions.
“I think the announcement to allow dine-in is too early. If something happens, then the front-liners will have more trouble to deal with.
“One can follow guidelines but that doesn’t mean everyone will be safe from the virus because my shop is small and social distancing will be hard to maintain.
“Also, how many customers will adhere to it? For example, restaurants were told to close at 10pm but a customer could walk in at 9.30pm and have a drink past 10pm.
“If we ask him to leave, he will probably create a ruckus and ask why he can’t sit there until the shop closes.” – TMI