Ismail Sabri Now Says 4 Can Dine In Together If The Table Is Big Enough
However, the Senior Minister still encouraged people to opt for drive-thru, takeaway, or delivery.
By May Vin Ang — 16 Oct 2020, 10:47 AM
Restaurants under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) can now allow a maximum of four patrons to a table, instead of two, provided the table is big enough, according to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Seri Yaakob
The Defence Minister said that the National Security Council (MKN) has reviewed its earlier decision, which comes one day after the start of the CMCO in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya.
"Dining in restaurants is allowed, subject to standard operation procedures (SOPs) and is limited to two persons per table but if the table is big, up to a maximum of four persons per table," he said during the daily COVID-19 national security briefing on Thursday, 15 October.
Ismail Sabri said the current measures are similar to the ones implemented in the CMCO in May
"People may ask why we allow people to dine in. Truthfully, we did the same during the first CMCO in May. Initially, we only allowed two diners per table. If the table is big, we allowed four people maximum," he explained.
"But under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period, we allowed tables to be joined together and for big tables to allow three to eight individuals to dine together as long as there was physical distancing," he added.
According to The Star, many restaurant and eatery operators welcomed the revision made yesterday and hoped the government will continue to revise conditions under the CMCO to ease difficulties faced by business owners.
The Senior Minister also reiterated that these SOPs must be adhered to and physical distancing must still be maintained
He encouraged people living in the CMCO areas to opt for takeaway, delivery, or go to a drive-thru to get their food instead of dining in.
