PETALING JAYA: Restaurant operators are hoping local councils will lead the way in promoting outdoor dining options in line with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s suggestion.
On Sunday, Muhyiddin announced easing of restrictions for those fully vaccinated starting today, with dine-in allowed for such individuals in states which are in Phase 2 of the national recovery plan.
He also called on eatery owners to provide more tables outside their premises to ensure better ventilation.
Speaking to FMT, food operators in the Klang Valley welcomed the suggestion as they said it would create a new revenue channel for an industry battered by the pandemic for almost two years.
However, there is one major stumbling block.
“We will have to apply for licences and they don’t come cheap,” said Renyi Chin, co-founder of myBurgerLab. “When I checked three or four years ago, it cost RM500 to RM600 per table.
“Outdoor seating is good for businesses which have the option to do so as it’s a means for them to survive, but I hope city councils can waive the fee.”
Huen Su San, who manages 10 F&B outlets and two central kitchens, said the outdoor seating idea could potentially be a “win-win solution” for business owners and the government.
“If the pandemic is going to continue for a long period, outdoor seating is something the city councils should look into and come up with creative solutions that benefit everyone,” she said.
She hoped to see clear directives and easy application processes.
Brian Gomez, the owner of Merdekarya, welcomed the idea and suggested that permits be waived for food outlets that want to put tables and chairs on the five-foot way.
A once bustling live music venue in Petaling Jaya, Merdekarya has been closed since last March, with Gomez focusing on providing food and drinks on a delivery basis.
He suggested that roads in low-traffic areas be blocked off to cars from 8pm to 2am to accommodate the tables and chairs.
“It doesn’t affect the other businesses as they are closed,” he said. “So close the road, have tables outside, and make sure no cars are allowed.”
Except for Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Putrajaya, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Kedah and Melaka, all other states and federal territories are at least in Phase 2 of the national recovery plan.
The move to encourage more outdoor seating at F&B outlets is in line with best practices in other countries.
In guidelines released on July 27, the US’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said data available then suggested that the risk of Covid-19 transmission in outdoor settings was minimal.
Yesterday, France made it a requirement for those who want to enjoy restaurants, cafes and cross-country travel to provide proof of full vaccination with a health pass, or what is more commonly known as a digital vaccination certificate in Malaysia.
Italy implemented the same measure last Friday.
In Australia, Sydney is among the areas currently in a year-long trial that supports F&B, entertainment, arts and cultural businesses to expand their outdoor dining onto areas such as footpaths and public spaces until Oct 31 – with the city noting the uptick in business at these venues since then.
The New South Wales government’s outdoor dining guidelines state that as Covid-19 restrictions ease, it is reducing red tape to allow F&B operators to offer a temporary expansion of outdoor dining. - FMT
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