KUALA LUMPUR – Following pressure and appeals from various quarters, the government has finally agreed to extend the operating hours of eateries in states under the movement control order (MCO) to 10pm.
Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that food-delivery services will be allowed to operate until 10pm as well.
He said the decision to extend the hours from the current closing time of 8pm was made after taking into account complaints and grouses of both the public and business operators.
He said the matter was discussed in several meetings at various levels, involving the likes of the Health Ministry, National Security Council and Economic Affairs Ministry.
“We understand that many reach their homes quite late and do not have time to buy dinner,” he told a press conference that was also live-streamed today.
“Similarly, food and beverage businesses, especially the ones that typically operate at night, like burger and satay stalls, also complain that closing at 8pm is too early.
“We do listen and, after deliberation, the government has agreed to extend the operating hours of restaurants and eateries to 10pm beginning tomorrow,” he said, reminding that dine-ins are still not allowed.
When the MCO was announced, all businesses in states under the strict movement order were only allowed to operate from 6am to 8pm.
This led Malaysians to condemn the government on social media, claiming that many of them leave work late in the evening and the restrictions have caused them to miss dinner on several occasions.
Meanwhile, on reports that some SPM students have tested positive for Covid-19, Ismail Sabri said he will refer the matter to the Education Ministry on the next course of action.
Asked if it would be wise to conduct swab tests on all students returning to schools, varsity campuses and hostels, Ismail said that the decision not to enforce this initially was due to the cost that would have had to be incurred by the students and their parents.
“We do not want to burden them in terms of cost. We feel that only those with symptoms should undergo tests. But, since there are cases now, we will refer to the Education Ministry.” – The Vibes, January 21, 2021
