KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya is in talks to revise the operating hours for eateries in states placed under lockdown, said Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
In a tweet, Annuar said the National Security Council (NSC) and Health Ministry (MoH) are studying the benefits and costs of allowing eateries to operate until 10pm, as opposed to 8pm, per measures under the reinstated movement control order (MCO 2.0).
“NSC and MoH are studying the pros and cons of eateries opening until 10pm. Any development will be announced by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob... Covid-19 is getting more widespread. Limit movements, obey and enforce the SOPs (standard operating procedures).”
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had on January 12 announced that most businesses, eateries and shops will be allowed to operate from 6am to 8pm daily under MCO 2.0.
However, dining-in is prohibited, while orders are limited to takeaways or drive-throughs.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had last week announced that the MCO will be reintroduced in all Federal Territories and several other states from January 13 to 26.
But members of the public and restaurateurs have urged the government to reconsider an extension to the operating hours, citing the extra hours will allow operators and delivery riders to get as much business as possible from takeaways since dining-in is not allowed.
A group of 21 opposition MPs yesterday have also weighed in, urging the Perikatan Nasional government to review its SOPs, and allow food and beverage outlets to remain open past 8pm, saying that current SOPs will kill off such outlets. – The Vibes, January 19, 2021
