PETALING JAYA: Businesses that sell liquor besides food, cannot operate for the time being, says Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pic).
“Pubs that serve food are not restaurants. Even if it is a restaurant that has a pub, it is not considered a restaurant, ” he said.
He said that following the first day of the conditional movement control order (MCO), the ministry received complaints that pubs were opened and did not adhere to any form of social distancing.
“I was informed that there was a pub operating as normal with no social distancing measures and people were sitting casually.
“We have therefore decided that pubs or restaurants that serve liquor are not yet allowed to operate, ” he said during a Facebook live briefing on Tuesday (May 5).
Annuar said that pubs that sell liquor are in the same category as karaoke and other entertainment centres.
The minister, however, did not clarify if businesses would be allowed to operate if they did not sell liquor during this period.
He also reminded operators that do not follow the standard operating procedures issued by the Health director-general is a compoundable offence under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
Annuar added that on the first day of the conditional MCO, DBKL enforcement units found 36 out of 91 businesses premises inspected did not follow the social distancing measures.
An additional 48 premises did not have social distancing markings for customers to follow.
He also said that 28 premises did not provide hand sanitisers.
“The markings are there for people to know that at any time and anywhere, whether it is calling for service, making an order, buying a ticket or using the ATM, there must be a one-metre gap to the next person.
“These are basic standard operating procedures, and even not having hand sanitisers is an offence.”
