Photo: Eateries in Kota Kinabalu
KOTA KINABALU: The Government must provide a clear and accurate directive to eateries on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) under Phase One of the Movement Control Order (MCO) under the National Recovery Plan (PPN) to avoid confusion among business operators and would-be patrons.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew emphasised this point in the wake of complaints from owners of coffee shops and restaurants here, who allowed dine-in on Tuesday in accordance with the announcement to this effect by the Chief Minister on Monday, only to be abruptly ordered to stop by enforcement personnel from the relevant authorities.
She said the situation caused not only confusion but also apprehension among business owners when word went around that the police might be coming to issue summonses.
“We need to be consistent in our policies and actions to help ease the burden shouldered by members of the business fraternity who are already in the depths of economic despair. Many are moaning and groaning under the yoke of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is imperative that the Government issue precise guidelines on SOPs to facilitate business operations, and disseminate this crucial information to business owners and the general public to avoid uncertainty and unnecessary compound fines.
“This morning (Tuesday), I was having breakfast at a coffee shop in Tawau when I received telephone calls and complaints from coffee shop owners in Kota Kinabalu, who were apparently in a confused state. It surprised me when they reported that an enforcement team came by and warned them against dine-ins, saying the SOP has not been issued yet, as dining-in was allowed at the eating establishments in Tawau,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.
Liew, who is also Tawau MP and Api Api Assemblywoman, regretted that there was lack of coordination on the part of the authorities concerned.
On Monday, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced that several economic activities would be allowed from Tuesday (June 29), including dine-ins at restaurants, food stalls and outlets in hotel premises;; roadside stalls selling vegetables, fish and fruits; as well as barber shops.