THE food and beverage industry in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya is braced for a second conditional movement control order (CMCO) starting today.

Although dine-ins are allowed, they fear people will not dine out at all because of the alarming spike in the number of Covid-19 cases as the country is hit by a third wave of infections.

Director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has warned that high daily cases should be expected before a tapering.

Malaysia-Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association president Ho Su Mong said eateries were experiencing a gradual recovery after the first CMCO but the resurgence of the virus was causing alarm.

“This time, it is very serious. Customers are more cautious now and dare not dine in,” he said.

Ho said customers dropped significantly when the first cases of the third wave surfaced in Sabah.

Under the CMCO, all food outlets may open from 6am to 10pm but must observe physical distancing. No more than two people may share a table.

“No customers means no income. Yet we have to pay for the salaries, utilities and ingredients. We hope the landlords can offer us a discount on rent for two weeks while the government should consider offering a discounts on our utility bills,” said Ho.

He said in the Klang Valley, about 50% of the coffee shops rent their premises, paying between RM10,000 and RM20,000 a month.

Fresh ingredients in storage would have to be thrown away as customers grow scarce, he said.

Malaysian F&B Operators Alliance spokesman Joshua Liew was concerned about the Selangor government’s opposition to the federal authorities’ call for a state-wide CMCO.

Selangor said many areas in the state remained coronavirus free.

Wholesale markets, meanwhile, are allowed to open from 4am to 2pm.

Kuala Lumpur Vegetable Wholesalers Association president Wong Keng Fatt said the CMCO should not pose a problem.

“Vegetables are necessities and will not be affected by the restrictions.

“The supply of vegetables is sufficient. Vegetable farmers have had a poor harvest due to the rainy season but we still have imported vegetables from Vietnam and Thailand,” Wong said.

Kuala Lumpur Hoi Seng Fish Wholesaler Association president Sing Kian Hock letters would be prepared for the  wholesalers to present to the authorities at roadblocks.

“From our previous experience, the lorries carrying fresh food are not affected, and the people do not need to stock up on food. They can buy vegetables and seafood when needed.”

Under the CMCO for Selangor, KL and Putrajaya, wet markets can open from 6am to 2pm, farmers’ markets from 6am to noon and night markets from 4pm to 10pm. – October 14, 2020.