KUALA LUMPUR – While businesses gear up to return to normalcy as the nation transitions into an endemic phase, industry players are urging the government to take heed of their input prior to developing operation guidelines.
Speaking to The Vibes, Restaurant and Bistro Owners Association vice-president Jeremy Lim said that despite businesses looking forward to more lenient standard operating procedures (SOPs), the lack of engagement with the government continues to create confusion over the guidelines implemented by the authorities.
“The food and beverage industry as a whole is extremely excited and thankful for the relaxation of SOPs so far, but as we move into the endemic phase, certain guidelines have to be looked at and their details must be refined.
The government must be clear on the guidelines provided to business operators and premises owners. If they (the government) are unsure about certain policies or steps that could be taken, then they should consult business owners or associations in those specific categories.”
Lim also highlighted the ongoing uncertainty regarding whether the 1m physical distancing between tables must still be enforced regardless of conditions, or if restaurants are now allowed to seat patrons according to the venue’s capacity.
“If they (customers) are from the same household or a group shows up at a restaurant after being in a mosque, where physical distancing measures are not required, then are we (business owners) still required to physically distance them?
Perhaps the government has not really thought about such nuances, or maybe they have and are leaving the understanding of rules up to the business community.”
He added that the existence of multiple interpretations might cause grievances to restaurant operators as enforcement authorities then carry out their duties based on instructions that might differ from business to business.
F&B industry cannot always ‘play victim’, must learn how to make job vacancies appealing to younger workforce
Commenting on the additional workforce that will be needed to sustain longer operating hours, Lim asserted that while the issue of worker deficiency, already a pressing problem, will be amplified over time, both industry players and the government can do their part to mitigate the problem.
“The food and beverage industry cannot always be playing the victim. We should instead question how we can be making our offered jobs more appealing and attractive to the younger workforce, whether in terms of workload or pay.
“Some level of assurance from authorities regarding businesses not being shut down again in the future will also encourage potential workers to return to the industry if they had previously left because of the extended lockdown.”
Similarly, Federation of Malaysian Business Associations vice-chairman Raymond Woo told The Vibes that while industry players have yet to be engaged by the government, he is “giving them the benefit of time” and is looking forward to future consultations.
“As of now, we have not been invited for any SOP planning, but I hope that the government will consider hearing business owners out first before SOPs are made public to ensure that enforcement and implementation efforts are decisive and clear.
Stressing that business owners are seeking to provide their cooperation with the government, Woo said that efforts to hold discussions will serve to benefit all parties.
“Business owners understand the importance of the endemic transition phase and do not want to jeopardise operations or even see an extension of border closures nor an increase in restrictions.
If the government were to disregard our insight on the matter, then they will be seen in a bad light once changes or amendments have to be made to the SOPs as the nation goes through the progression of re-opening our economic sectors.
“With collaboration between the government and industry players, there will be a sturdier and better multi-view approach on the practicality of rules,” he said, adding that this will also aid in balancing lives and livelihoods.
On March 8, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced that Malaysia will begin phase one of the transition towards the endemic phase of the Covid-19 pandemic starting April 1.
All restrictions on operating hours will be lifted and businesses can open according to the conditions set by their respective licences, while the public will be able to dine out past midnight, and 24-hour convenience stores can open as normal. – The Vibes, March 12, 2022
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