Food outlets can operate past midnight until 6am during Ramadan

 

All food premises will be allowed to remain open from midnight until 6am throughout the month of Ramadan, said Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.

He said approval for the extended hours was granted to cater to people looking to buy food for the sahur, or pre-fasting, meal.

"Previously, the operation of food premises was limited from 6am to midnight, or according to the premise's license," he said at a Covid-19 press conference in Putrajaya today.

Ismail said the extended operating hours were also approved for all food delivery operators, as well as food outlets inside hotels.

This year, he said the government has also allowed the hosting of Ramadan buffets and breaking-fast functions by private parties, corporations, and government agencies, subject to strict standard operating procedures.

In terms of capacity, Ismail said the general guideline for functions would be applied - 50 percent of maximum capacity in conditional movement control areas (MCO) and 100 percent in recovery MCO.

Ismail also said all buffet lines must be operated by staff to serve food, on top of enforcing social distancing requirements for diners waiting in line.

A registration table must be set up at all breaking-fast functions to register each guest either manually or using the MySejahtera application.

Food at the functions must also be pre-packed, served at the table by a waiter or a server heading a buffet line.

Prayer rooms are allowed to be open, but guests are encouraged to bring their own prayer mats.  - Mkini