ONE of Penang’s top nasi kandar restaurants was ordered to close for a week after it was found to have violated the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the local authority for social distancing.

Hameediyah manager Ahmed Seeni Pakir confirmed Penang Island City Council (MBPP) today ordered 112-year-old restaurant to close from today to August 29 for allowing too many customers on the premises.

He added that the tables were not marked to separate seated customers.

Seeni said it was difficult for the restaurant to follow the SOP when families of six or seven people want to be seated.

He said they had hired people to control the crowd, to take temperatures and record details of customers entering the premises.

He said they were closed due to violating SOPs and not due to anyone working at Hameediyah contracting Covid 19.

The outlet on Lebuh Campbell is a popular eatery, with long queues form during peak dining hours every day. – August 23, 2020.