IT will be a long and difficult six months for large Chinese restaurants in the face of no bookings for wedding banquets till the end of the year.

While social activities are allowed from July 1, restaurant owners said this has not eased the fears and concerns of the general public who have preferred to “wait and see”.

They told The Malaysian Insight that business has improved by 25% but this was due to more bookings for small gatherings.

Reservations for wedding receptions have remained elusive because most couples are waiting to see if the Covid-19 pandemic has abated, they said.

Pan Malaysia Koo See Restaurants and Chefs Association president Wong Teu Hoon said  all wedding banquets booked before the health crisis had been cancelled, and while movement restrictions have largely been lifted, it is no longer the matrimonial season.

Wong said the season will recommence in September but many are now concerned about the stringent health and safety protocols for group events.

“Newlyweds usually invite about 500 people to their banquets but now they are wondering if the recovery movement-control order (RMCO) will end on August 31 or if it will be extended.

“So they are thinking, why not only decide when the time comes?” he said.

Xin Yang Seafood Restaurant director Tan Boon Guan said it would be difficult to book a restaurant for a wedding banquet come year end, especially at weekends.

“Some of them are even looking at weekday bookings.”

Tan said restaurant staff usually worked to the point of exhaustion on auspicious dates in October and December when many wedding receptions are booked.

“But now all bookings for this year end have been postponed to next year. Some customers are still stuck in Singapore.

“Some were supposed to head overseas to have their wedding photos taken but that has been delayed too. Some have postponed their weddings entirely,” Tan said.

Wong, who owns Lu Yeh Yen Restaurant in Malacca, said he has received bookings for gatherings of between 30 and 60 people this month amid the RMCO.

“These are club or association gatherings, group meals and birthdays. There aren’t too many people.

“And although there has been an increase of 25% for such bookings, business is still difficult.

“We have no choice but to take things slowly from here on and hope that customers will have the confidence to return soon,” he said.

Tan said restaurant owners need to innovate.

“As the restaurant sector recovers, we will have to rely on small bookings and celebrations but this is not enough. Restaurateurs need to diversify, by offering takeaway services,” he said.

BL Small Catering Buffet head Brandy Chun said he had received many inquiries about small buffets since movement restrictions were lifted but not many of those translated into bookings.

“We only had an uptick for the Father’s Day weekend, with some families booking buffets for about 10 to 20 people,” Chun said.

However, there were no bookings for weddings.

“I don’t think there will be many bookings for weddings in the short term because people are worried they will not be able to adhere to the SOP (health and safty guidelines).

“Even if they proceed with their weddings, they will definitely invite fewer people,”  she said.

Chun estimates it will take at least three more months before people will confidently book a wedding reception.

“September, November and December are usually the peak months. So far we have not received any booking for these peak periods. So if by September the situation does not improve, then we will only see daylight next year,” she said.

Putrajaya lifted the restrictions on weddings, religious activities, schools, and celebrations and birthdays from July 1.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, however, said such events are to last no longer than five hours and cannot exceed 250 people. Social distancing must also be adhered to.

He said the authorities will watch these events closely to ensure that the health and safety guidelins are adhered to.

The Covid-19 pandemic has so far infected 8,648 people and killed 121 others in Malaysia. – July 4, 2020.