KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah government stands by its directive to allow dine-in as the state moves into Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) today.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor in a statement said the directive issued on June 29 under Phase 1 is still in force.
“This is our stand.”
The clarification had been eagerly anticipated by Sabahans, who were left wondering about the matter following the announcement on the transition into Phase 2.
The Sabah government issued Phase 2 standard operating procedures yesterday, and the section on eateries stated: “Restaurants, cafés, eateries, food stalls, food trucks, hawkers, food courts, mobile food services and food kiosks are allowed to operate from 6am to 9pm for takeaway, drive-through and delivery services.”
It did not mention dine-in.
State Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun’s press secretary, Jes Elmer Barry Dawinda Bairi, confirmed to The Vibes that the SOPs were released by the state government.
Under the federal directive, dine-in is prohibited under Phase 2 of NRP.
Sabahans were last month given confusing statements and SOPs on dine-in, leading to local authorities in the various districts allowing patrons to take their meals at eateries despite this being barred under Phase 1.
Operators pointed to Hajiji’s statement on June 28 that said dine-in is allowed starting the next day, in addition to hair-cutting services. – The Vibes, July 10, 2021
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