How about 2 customers per table, say coffeeshop owners

 

Dining-in is not allowed under the current rules of the movement control order. (AP pic)

PETALING JAYA: Coffee shops and eateries are happy with the extension of operating hours until 10pm but have called for relaxation of rules on dining-in and the operation of pasar malam.

Ho Su Mong, president of the Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association, said his members wanted the government to allow dining-in with two to a table.

The association, which has 20,000 members, said the extension of hours would increase their income by 10%; dining-in would add another 10%.

Malaysian Association of Malay Hawkers and Small Businessmen said the extending operating hours is only one of the many other requests they made to the National Economic Action Council.

The association’s secretary-general, Mohamed Zamri Mohammed, said just as wet markets are allowed to open, they had requested pasar malam, morning markets and dine-ins.

He further questioned the double standards in allowing wet markets to be opened but not night markets.

“What is the difference? Just as in wet markets, we will follow tight SOPs with taking temperatures, offering hand sanitisers and dedicated entrances and exits,” he told FMT.

He said the traders have experience in following SOPs after the first lockdown from March to Mat last year. Zamri said the association represented by 200,000 members was not against the government but hoped the government would consider their request as they need to survive.

Earlier today Putrajaya announced restaurants, food stalls, and any establishments selling food items are allowed to operate until 10pm effective tomorrow. However, dine-in will still not be allowed. This comes after public complaints on the opening times of 6am to 8pm.

Tan Suan Sear of the Delivereat delivery services welcomed the new operating hours to 10pm. He said the last call for restaurants will now be 9.30pm instead of 7.30pm. “A lot of people couldn’t order food after 7.30pm and it was especially hard for those working late,” he said.

The move will also allow restaurants to earn extra income during movement control order period which has been extended to Feb 4, he added. - FMT