PETALING JAYA: Social distancing, limited number of diners at a table, as well as maintaining a distance of at least 1m apart between one table and another can ensure restaurants are safe for diners, say food and beverage operators.
Malaysia Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors’ General Association Datuk Ho Su Mong said it was a concern not only to diners but also to everyone working in the food and beverage sector.
“Just as much as we would like the economy of the country to resume, we also have to be careful of the arrangement of tables and chairs so that social distancing is properly adhered to, ” he said.
Referring to the incident where nine people in a Guangzhou restaurant were infected, Ho said the virus was able to spread in the restaurant in China as social distancing measures were not observed.
To prevent this, Ho suggested for only one diner be seated at a small table of less than 1m wide.
For a bigger tables, he suggested that translucent partitions be set up for three to four persons.
Hence, he said there would be distancing between customers, adding that this way, there was less chance for customers to have physical contact.
Ho hoped that the authorities would approve the plans or suggestions the association had put up.
“We’ll observe the distance for tables to be placed in the shops, that is 2m apart. We agree that a table should only allow a maximum of four diners, ” he said.
Spice Garden restaurant owner Pardeep Batra, who has two outlets in Jalan Delima and the Linc Kuala Lumpur, said customers had a choice of sitting indoors or outdoors.
“We have outdoor seating in both our restaurants, so we advise our customers to sit outdoors.
“But if they want to sit indoors under the air-conditioner, then it is up to them, ” he said.
Since his restaurant reopened on May 4, Pardeep said the maximum number of people allowed to dine in was 15 to 20, adding that they had also arranged for each table to be two to 3m apart.
“We also allow for a maximum of four people at a round table and a maximum of two at a square table, ” he said.
Despite reopening his doors, Pardeep said customers were not returning for dine-in.
“People are still getting their food to go. They are still afraid to come, ” he said.
Desonny Tuzan, the owner of Charlie’s Cafe, said Covid-19 was unprecedented and had resulted in enormous challenges for restaurants, noting that his restaurant was only doing takeouts for now.
“To say that we would not be using air-conditioners would also be tough, but perhaps there needs to be a balance by ensuring there is ample air circulation within the premises.
“Our place is airy as we are not a closed-door restaurant. We still have natural air coming in, ” he said,
He added that when their dine-in service resumes in June, they would be implementing changes to their table seating.
“It will be one table for two people, and if it is a bigger table then three per table, ” he said, adding that the gap between each table would be 2m.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
