KOTA KINABALU – The dine-in standard operating procedures (SOP) in Sabah appears to have only lasted half a day, at least for the city folk here for now.
The state’s permission for dine-ins appeared to have been retracted after health authorities and also local government officials here told coffee shop owners and hawkers to stop patrons from dining in eateries.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor yesterday announced dine-ins would be allowed under the state’s recovery plan.
Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin revealed on a Facebook post that health authorities had come around Lido, Lintas, Foh Sang, and Damai, to warn patrons about dining in.
“I have received complaints from coffee shop operators and hawkers near Damai, Lintas and Foh Sang that they have been warned by Health Ministry enforcement officers not to set up tables for dine-in purposes or risk be issued with a compound as the SOPs are not yet ready.
“I find the actions of such enforcement officers rather high-handed.
“The chief minister of Sabah had already made his announcement, expressly allowing dining in from today onwards,” said Chan, adding that Health Ministry officials should exercise discretion and not be so quick to punish.
A viral audio message in Chinese claimed: “Just now open, now close again because they (health authorities) said SOPs are not out yet. Cannot dine in. People in Damai and Foh Sang have already been fined.”
A check on several coffee shops around Kapayan and the mentioned areas revealed many of the operators have already stacked their tables and seats away following the incident.
A restaurant operator who goes by the name of Mei said she had been warned by friends from the affected areas about health officers going around telling them to stop diners from entering the establishment.
“I saw my fellow coffee shop operator start stacking the tables and seats away, so I followed suit.
“They still say the dine-in allowance has no SOPs,” Mei told the Vibes.
However, the restriction on dine-ins appears to have only been limited within the city, as dine-ins are allowed in surrounding districts like Penampang and Putatan.
The same goes for Tawau, Lahad Datu, and Sandakan on Sabah’s east coast.
A source from the Chief Minister’s Office told The Vibes that they are also aware of the situation, but a meeting over the SOPs is currently ongoing.
“I am certain the matter is now being discussed in a meeting,” said the source, adding that they are also pushing for a quick resolution through the State Disaster Management Committee.
Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun was reported last night as saying any changes to the SOPs will be announced today or tomorrow.
He said all existing SOPs will remain for eateries, which will continue operating from 7am to 7pm. – The Vibes, June 29, 2021
