However, the restaurants will have to pay for permits for each table (RM30), a RM1,000 deposit and public liability insurance for coverage of up to RM100,000 that must be renewed annually.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said only restaurants located at corner-lots, dead-end roads, roads not used by vehicles, and roads that were not busy were allowed to place tables and chairs outdoors.

“This can be a game-changer for restaurants as, before this, the rules for placing tables and chairs outside of restaurants were very restrictive,” he told a press conference.

He encouraged restaurants to take advantage of the ruling by applying for a permit through the MBPJ website as the price was affordable.

“It is very affordable, the price for the permit is set at RM30 per table for each month,” he said.

Restaurants will be allowed to place a maximum of 20 tables outside, subject to capacity.

“The biggest difference is that restaurants are now allowed to utilise car parks and unused areas, on a case by case basis,” Rajiv said.