THE resumption of dine-in at eateries to a maximum of two per table has only helped businesses marginally as many customers remain cautious and still prefer to go for takeout, various food and beverage groups said.

The Chinese New Year holiday helped with a slight rebound of about 15% in business at coffee shops, since the new rule allowing dine-ins was allowed starting February 10, said Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association (MSCSPGA) president Ho Su Mong.

“This is a good sign, but there are still people who are concerned about the pandemic, so there aren’t that many dine-ins and most customers still prefer takeaways,” Ho told The Malaysian Insight.

“The dine-in for two to a table does not help much with business volume but we understand we can’t make too many demands as people are still fearful of the virus.”

The government allowed dining in again effective February 10 under the current movement-control order (MCO). The MCO, implemented for a second time since the start of the pandemic last year, began on January 14 and is anticipated to end on March 4 in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor.

Ho said despite allowing dine-ins, some eateries still operated for takeaways and deliveries only, as they did not want to face any possibility of having a Covid-19- infected customer.

“They will then need to disinfect their premises and face other consequences like suspending operations, which is just too much to deal with.”

He hoped the dine-in rule will be adjusted soon to allow more people – up to four to a table at least – with physical distancing in place.

Eateries in Sarawak, meanwhile, where dine-ins are allowed, still saw a very low volume of patrons, said Bintulu Coffeeshop Merchants and Restaurants Association president Hung Yii.

“Eateries were almost deserted during Chinese New Year even without such Covid-19 restrictions; people just didn’t want to go out.

“Although Sarawak’s caseload of confirmed infections is not so high, and there are only three to five cases in some areas, people are still afraid to go out.”

Malaysian F&B Operators Alliance spokesman Joshua Liew said the relaxed standard operating procedure (SOP) on dine-ins helped improve business over Chinese New Year by only a little, as the two-to-a-table rule meant families could not eat together.

“Business did increase during the new year but not by much, because of the two-people rule.”

Liew urged the authorities to study the facts and whether there was any significant number of Covid-19 cases that were contracted from dining out at restaurants.

“We hope the MCO will not be extended and that more people will be allowed to dine in, with SOP.”

Liew added that many restaurant owners worry that the government would ban dining in again.

Ho, meanwhile, urged Putrajaya to emulate Japan and Hong Kong in mandating assistance to the food and beverage industry.

Ho said in these countries, this was in the form of rental discounts for up to six months.

“A memorandum has been submitted to request similar assistance to reduce rental rates so that coffee shops and restaurants can continue to operate,” he said, adding that Indian and Muslim restaurants had joined forces with his association in appealing to the government. – February 17, 2021.