Dining-in ban at eateries only meant for customers, say police

PETALING JAYA: The dining-in ban at restaurants and eateries is only targeted at customers, says Bukit Aman.

Sin Chew Daily quoted Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Jaafar as saying there is no problem with employees eating inside the shop.

He clarified that under the standard operating procedures (SOP) for the movement control order outlined by the National Security Council (NSC), restaurants are not allowed to provide dine-in service for customers.

He said nevertheless, employees are allowed to eat inside the shop.

According to MyBurgerLab co-founder in a social media post Sunday (May 16), law enforcement officers arrived when his employees were eating inside the shop, and were about to issue them RM25,000 fines for violating the SOPs.

However, when the employees produced their employee passes, they were just given a verbal warning.

When contacted by Sin Chew Daily, Subang Jaya district police chief ACP Abd Khalid Othman said under NSC’s SOPs, restaurants and eateries can only provide takeaway and delivery services, but never specified whether employees are allowed to eat inside the shop during lunch break.

"The police may not be able to tell whether a diner is an employee or customer, unless he or she is wearing a uniform.”

To avoid confusion and misunderstanding, he proposed that restaurant owners provide their staff with uniforms.