PSB’s Lau feels for owners of eatery outlets hit by CMCO

KUCHING: Proprietors of eatery outlets bemoaned that their business dropped by 60 per cent as no dine-in is allowed during the current Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) until May 17, according to Datuk Dr John Lau.

The Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) potential candidate for Kota Sentosa said coffee shops, restaurants and food courts, which were permitted to offer take-aways, had been affected by the latest restriction.

“These business owners told me that their business had dropped by 60 per cent because many people stay and dine at home due to the CMCO.

“Karaoke, reflexology, gym, cinema, yoga and zumba centres could not open for business during this CMCO. They do not have any income during this period,” he said in a statement issued after the PSB Southern Zone Taskforce Facebook live session yesterday.

According to Lau, the manufacturing sectors are on alternate shifts of 50 per cent of their workforce and such reduction of manpower has affected their productivity greatly.

He said the CMCO in Sarawak had also affected the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

As such, he said the government should provide financial packages to business owners who had been affected by the CMCO.

He also called for strict compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP) to curb the spread of Covid-19.

He felt that the people were confused by the way the government had been managing the pandemic.

“The government keeps changing the SOP but we are social beings who need to socialise. The government can put in place all the caps, but the virus is not perturbed by that.

“Uncertainty and doubt have crept in, causing the people to become numb to the dangers of Covid-19,” he pointed out.

To provide clarity to the latest SOP, Lau suggested that the government broadcast the SOP through TV, radio, printed and social media to heighten awareness among the community.

“The government should address the issue by being consistent with what has been planned with specific objectives. Through passage of time, the government can monitor using suitable indicators while gradually easing restrictions.”

“We also suggest that the government use advice from public health professionals and experts about data analysis, engage more behavioral scientists and communication specialists in our war against Covid-19,” Lau added.