Two workers of the restaurant, in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), had gone to an Indian grocery in the nearby Kayu Ara neighbourhood to stock up for the week ahead, and were stopped by police on the way back.

The police issued a compound notice for crossing state borders without a travel permit.

Taman Tun Dr Ismail is in Kuala Lumpur. The Kayu Ara neighbourhood is in Selangor – where a lockdown under the enhanced movement control order entered its second day today in most of the state.

Restaurant owner Shankar Santhiram told FMT that he will appeal against the compound notice.

He said the workers were unaware of the lockdown in Kayu Ara, which is part of Petaling district, and that there were no roadblocks along the way.

Shankar said the workers had told the police they were travelling on work, and showed an approval letter from the international trade and industry ministry allowing the restaurant to be in operation.

Lockdown rules for EMCO areas stipulate that only those in essential services may travel with a valid approval letter from the ministry. Restaurants are listed as a permitted industry. However, only one person is allowed in private vehicles except with prior police approval.