NSC urged to review 2-per-table dine-in SOP

 

Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye calls on the NSC to review the 2-person per table policy when it comes to dine-in at eateries. - NSTP/FATHIL ASRI, for illustration purposes only

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council (NSC) has been urged to review the 2-person per table policy when it comes to dine-in at eateries.

This as there are sufficiently sized tables that can accommodate families by incorporating physical distancing rules in place at eateries.

Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said by allowing a family (more than 2 people) to sit together at a table when dining out will help eateries to earn more and keep their workers employed at the same time.

"The Chinese community traditionally continues celebrating Chinese New Year until the Chap Goh Mei, which takes about 15 days in total.

"During this season they would usually get together and take their families out for a meal, as the beliefs around this practice are that it would bring them luck and prosperity their whole life.

"As much as we understand that the NSC has applied the 2-person per table rules, I hope they could review this, as there are bigger tables available, in which it could accommodate the families while also observing the compulsory 1-metre physical-distancing rules," he said.

Lee said fixing 2-person per table was not practical and viable, especially when seated at a big table.

"Let's say if a restaurant has a 2-feet diameter table. It could accommodate two people, with physical distancing applied."

"The same goes with one measuring 8-feet in diameter, which is able to accommodate around perhaps 12 people, now it could be reduced to seven or eight people per table, with the physical distancing rules in place.

"And this suggestion is not just to accommodate the Chinese New Year celebrations, it is mainly a general suggestion."

"Moving forward, we just need a better standard operating procedure (SOP) for restaurant operators to survive the Covid-19 pandemic.

"They have suffered hefty losses last year, and I believe with the Chinese New Year celebration, they can recoup their losses again.

"They faced shutdown and no-dining in before, and if the NSC could consider reviewing this particular rule and meet them halfway in terms of accommodating customers according to the table size, it would help them to regenerate their economy, especially in paying off their workers," he said. - NST