Better to take safety steps than be sorry later

JOHOR BARU: Businesses here have been taking precautionary measures to ensure their premises are safe for customers in view of the recent rising number of Covid-19 cases.

Cafe supervisor Melissa Chan said her team had never stopped following the Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) such as sanitising tables and chairs after customers dine in.

“We have made it our staff SOP to wear a face mask at all times, proper gloves when handling food and to practise good personal hygiene. We also have hand soaps at the sink area.

“I think these are also basic things to observe as we are in the food-handling industry,” she said when interviewed.

Chan said business at her cafe has been steady, with a good number of patrons from Singapore as well.

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“Customers are dining in as usual but some of them still bring their own sanitisers to wipe the table upon sitting down.

“Other customers, especially the elderly, often request a glass of hot water to dip their cutlery before eating. We usually oblige as our priority is to make our customers feel comfortable and enjoy their dining experience,” she said.

Another restaurant owner, who only wanted to be known as Hakim, said he has told his staff to strictly follow the SOP, such as doing weekly Covid-19 self-tests.

“Covid-19 is still around and even though people around us have become more relaxed about the rules, I want to make sure that my staff are healthy when serving our customers.

“I vividly remember what it was like to shut down for weeks after a few of my staff contracted the virus in 2021, so I want to prevent that.

“We do not observe social distancing with customers for now, but we will do so if the government issues an instruction,” he added.

When contacted, Tourism Johor director Suhairi Hashim said the recent increase in case has not affected tourist arrivals so far.

“Visitors from Singapore and other domestic locations are still holidaying in Johor, especially for the year-end school holidays.

“While there is no (new) SOP issued by the government yet, I advise those in the service and tourism industries to prioritise personal hygiene and good health before serving others.