Tee (left) and Likas assemblyman Tan Lee Fatt (right) talk about the SOP for eateries.
KOTA KINABALU: Eateries have taken a more cautious approach by providing takeaway only as they wait for the State Government to release its new standard operating procedure (SOP) on dining-in.
Sabah West Coast Coffee Shop Association chairman Yong Chee Yun said eatery operators dare not open their premises for dine-in before the SOP was issued.
Yong
He said all coffee shops had opened for dine-in on Tuesday when the ban was lifted.
“Around 10 in the morning, we heard that enforcement officers have ordered coffee shops in Kepayan to close (for dine-in) and we scrambled to put away the tables and chairs. It was chaotic.”
Yong said most eateries have purchased ingredients in bulk and prepared more food in anticipation of dining-in patrons.
“Providing takeaway alone is insufficient to cover the expenses,” he said.
He hoped that the State Government would allow ample time for businesses to prepare in advance when announcing any new SOP, and avoid making U-turn on its decisions.
At the same time, Yong hoped that enforcement officers would have empathy towards the plight of coffee shop and eatery operators, who were struggling to stay afloat amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sabah West Coast Coffee Shop Association has around 300 members in Kepayan, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu up to Kudat.
A survey done at the city centre also found that almost all coffee shops were closed for dine-in on Wednesday.
Kedai Kopi Yee Fung owner, Cheng Chew Wang, hoped that the government would make an announcement whether dine-in was allowed as soon as possible instead of keeping eateries waiting.
Cheng said his premises was opened for dine-in on Tuesday until 10 am and from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm due to confusion, before finally closing at 5 pm.
The coffee shop only provided takeaway on Wednesday.
He hoped that dine-in would be allowed as it was difficult to sustain on takeaway alone.
“Let us know whether we can open for dine-in, don’t keep us waiting,” he urged.
On the other hand, Ori Kitchen Resipi, which opened in March this year, opened for dine-in on Wednesday.
Dato Stanley Tee, a stakeholder of Ori Kitchen Resipi, said the premises only provided takeaway on Tuesday and decided to open for dine-in on Wednesday while waiting for the latest SOP.
“The Chief Minister has announced that dine-in is allowed, and there has not been any official statement saying that dine-in is banned again.”
Although the premises is open for dine-in, Tee assured that strict SOP was imposed by allowing only one customer per table.
“Our tables can seat up to six persons, but we currently only allow one customer per table.”
He hoped that the new SOP would be released as soon as possible to clear up the confusion, and for businesses to be better prepared.
At the same time, he urged the government to expedite the vaccination programme as it was the only defence against Covid-19.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor announced that dine-in would be allowed in Sabah on Monday, but Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Sabah government must abide by and adopt the SOP issued by the National Security Council (NSC) just like other states.
The NSC has so far allowed food outlets to extend their operating hours from 6 am to 10 pm instead of 8 am to 8 pm, while dine-in is still barred until Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
On Tuesday, the State Government said details on the new SOP for Sabah have been submitted to the Federal Government and is still waiting to be gazetted. Details on the SOP is expected to be announced by the State Secretary.