The more diners make food operators the merrier
Restaurant and food operators have thanked the government for considering their appeal and allowing more than two to dine in despite the ongoing movement control order.
Malaysia Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors’ General Association president Datuk Ho Su Mong said the reprieve came at the “right time” as Chinese New Year is being celebrated.
“This is certainly good news for coffeeshops, eateries and restaurants. It is the right time as Chinese New Year is still being celebrated on the ninth day when we pay homage to the Jade Emperor and also the impending Chap Goh Meh which is the last day of the festive season.
“These are occasions when people go to eateries and restaurants to dine in,” he said yesterday.
Allowing more than two patrons to a table, Ho said, would certainly help the industry stay afloat as many operators had been badly affected.
Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas) vice-president C. Krishnan concurred, saying that operators were unable to break even by seating only two to a table.
Applauding the decision, he said it was a “very positive approach” by the government considering the hardship the operators were facing.
“This will definitely help but we won’t see an immediate turnaround,” he said, adding that it would take around two weeks to see the spin-off effects.
Krishnan said from March to May last year, restaurant operators lost a great deal of business as they were not able to open at all.
“Then from July to September, they recovered between 60% and 70% of their business. But when the third wave hit with another round of MCO in October, the crowd and business went down again.
“Business dropped to 40% and then 20% between October last year and January,” he said, adding that the government should consider providing rental assistance subsidy to affected businesses.