THERE will be no extension of operating hours for restaurants during the Ramadan month, said Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“Operating hours are still 8am to 8pm,” Ismail said in response to questions on whether the government would extend the operating hours during the fasting month.

“We are not changing or extending the time frame given. The SOP (standard operating procedure) remains the same.

“If you want to place an order, do it earlier,” said Ismail Sabri.

Ismail Sabri, however, said restaurants in green zones may be allowed to extend their operation hours in the latest SOP being drafted by the National Security Council (NSC).

“Maybe in the latest SOP that is being studied by the NSC, we will see if food outlets in green zones can be allowed to operate after 8pm,” he said.

The green zone refers to areas in which no Covid-19 cases have been reported; yellow zone (1-19 cases), orange zone (20-40 cases); and, the red zone (at least 41 cases).

Putrajaya had announced on March 30 that food outlets, convenience stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets can only operate from 8am to 8pm after the movement control order (MCO) entered its second phase.

Restaurant owners had earlier told The Malaysian Insight that they hoped the government would allow them to operate until 10pm during Ramadan.

Federal Territory and Selangor Malay Muslim Restaurant Operators’ Association president Ayob Abdul Majid had said he feared many restaurants would be run out of business if the government does not extend the operating hours. – April 28, 2020.