Despite the announcement by Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor that restaurants and cafes can serve dine-in customers from today, social media is abuzz with rumours that eateries doing so have been fined.
West Coast Coffee Shop and Restaurant Association chairman Yong Chee Yun said there are rumours on WhatsApp that eateries have been fined or warned by the authorities for setting up tables for customers to dine in.
“Though, I have called my members and they’ve told me that there is no truth to the rumours, as yet,” he told FMT.
“However, at the same time such rumours are of concern to us. Because of this, many of the shops which had set up tables earlier resorted to removing the tables by 10am and are only serving takeaways now.”
Yong attributed the confusion to the delay in announcing new SOPs, especially when the timing for dine-ins and capacity allowed have not been released.
“As such, we call on the government to issue SOPs as soon as possible whenever an announcement, such as that made by the chief minister yesterday, is made.”
Hajiji had announced that several social and economic activities will be allowed, including dining-in at restaurants, eateries and hotels, while hair salons, and stalls selling vegetables, fish and fruits by the roadside can reopen.
He said aside from these activities, many of the existing Covid-19 rules under the current lockdown, would remain in force, adding that details of the updated SOPs will be released soon.
Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin said coffee shop operators and hawkers near Damai, Lintas and Foh Sang here had told him that they had been warned by health ministry enforcement officers not to set up tables for dine-ins or risk being issued a compound as the new SOPs were not yet ready.
“Hajiji already made his announcement saying that dining-in was allowed from today onwards.
“But who has the ultimate right to decide whether dine-ins are allowed? Who has the final say? Why was there an announcement without the drawing up of an SOP?” Chan asked on Facebook today.
Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe said people waited for the SOPs until late last night but to no avail until now.
He pointed out the problem was down to a communication breakdown between the government and the people.
“The federal SOPs clearly state that dine-ins are not allowed but Sabah, under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan, has now permitted them.
“So, is the chief minister’s statement valid as it does not follow the National Security Council’s SOPs?” he asked.
Phoong said he had contacted a police officer and was told the authorities had not taken action against any eateries yet.
“In my opinion, they are also in a dilemma whether to enforce the SOPs or not.
“And we cannot blame the people for spreading rumours because they are also confused. This is because the government has failed in disseminating the necessary information.
“This government must prepare new SOPs (immediately) when making announcements. Do not share any unclear and incomplete information as this will mislead and confuse the public.”
FMT has reached out to Sabah local government and housing minister Masidi Manjun and state health director Dr Christina Rundi for comments.