RESTAURANTS in Klang Valley are bracing for a about 40% to 60% drop in business following the two-week conditional movement-control order (CMCO) starting on Wednesday.

Although it is bleak, many said their bigger concern is surviving the Covid-19 pandemic.

They told The Malaysian Insight that they would adhere with the government’s directive and standard operating procedure but are still hopeful for aid from the authorities and rental leeway from landlords.

Malaysian Indian Restaurant Entrepreneurs Association (Primas) president Muthusamy Thirumeni said the news of the CMC0 has affected them as they have only started to recover following months of slow business from the MCO in March.

“Some sales were going up but now with CMCO, business will be affected.

“However, we are always making efforts to inform our customers that we are adhering to all the SOP.”

Under the CMCO in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya this time, Muthusamy said they expect revenue to drop by more than 60%.

“We still have overheads, staff salaries and rental to pay.

“We hope that the government can give extra subsidies, such as funds or grants for the businesses,” he said.

Under the CMCO, which lasts until October 27, business hours for restaurants and eateries are limited between 6am and 10pm.

Restaurants are allowed to offer dine-in services but restricted to only two people per table.

Muthusamy said they understand the need to enforce the CMCO in light of the rising Covid-19 cases.

“We have to be very strict as there can’t be any compromise on that.”

More than 700 members in Klang Valley are affected by the CMCO, he added.

Rental relief

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners’ Association (Presma) president Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said customers are still shunning eateries although dining in is allowed.

“Customers are concerned about the pandemic, so very few people are coming to restaurants.”

Jawahar said the association is expecting losses of not less than 40% in the coming weeks.

“We will incur losses, but the main thing is to follow all the SOP set by the authorities. We are also appealing to our landlords to look into a rental relief for the next two weeks.”

Presma has about 2,000 members in Klang Valley who are affected by the CMCO.

The government should also look into extending the loan moratorium until year-end, he said.

“This will greatly help restaurant operators who will be incurring losses.”

Persatuan Restoran Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan Ku Su Shin Choong Hung chairman Lum Tuck Loy said about 300 members are affected by the CMCO.

“We expect to see at least a drop of 60% in sales in the coming weeks.

“The restaurants are not doing well and could even shutter if the CMCO is extended.”

He also pleaded with the government to allow more customers at a table.

“Our customers are mainly families who dine in. Limiting two to a table will shun people away.

“We hope they can consider allowing more people for tables that can accommodate 10 people.

We will continue to follow the previous SOP, such as social distancing at the tables.”

He said this is crucial, as not many people would come to Chinese restaurants to takeaway.

“Our restaurants survive mainly on serving dishes. For takeaways, customers usually order fried rice and hokkien mee. So, we are not making much.”

Closing shop

Klang traditional coffee shop association president Lim Peng Hock said they are badly affected by the partial lockdown.

“Since March 18, about 10% out of our 200 members have had to close shop as customers have stayed away.

“The restaurant operators are currently averaging an estimated drop of 30% in sales.”

Lim said their priority is to survive the pandemic.

“We must follow all the government’s SOP to prevent the spread of the virus. All of us must work together to fight this pandemic.”

He also hopes Selangor would look into helping out operators. – October 16, 2020.