​PETALING JAYA: The government’s decision to allow restaurant operators, food outlets and food delivery services to extend their operation hours to 10pm beginning on Jan 22 would alleviate some of the severe challenges facing the eateries business since MCO 2.0 took effect. 

MEF President Dato’ Dr. Syed Hussain Syed Husman J.P., in responding to the announcement of the extension of operating hours of eateries by Senior Minister (Security) YB Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Thursday, thanked the government for promptly responding to the request of businesses and the public to allow food outlets to operate longer hours.  

“With the drastic drop in the number of customers during MCO 2.0, restaurant operators were desperately struggling to meet their cost of operations, such as rental, salaries, loan repayments and utility costs, and not to mention the increasing prices of goods,” said Dato’ Dr. Syed Hussain.  

“The decision to extend the operating hours was welcomed, especially for the restaurant operators who were facing massive losses, and some had even been forced to shut down.  

“In view of the circumstances, we are thankful to the government for its continual interventions to fine tune the delicate balance between saving lives and livelihoods.” 

Dato’ Dr. Syed Hussain also reminded employers to abide strictly to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and continue to be committed to stop the spread of Covid-19. 

“As responsible employers, we have an important duty to ensure that our employees, customers and premises are safe and free of Covid-19 and this could be achieved by strictly following the SOP to the letter,” he added.  

For further information, contact the MEF Secretariat at 03-7955-7778 or fax 03-7955-9008 or email mef-hq@mef.org.my.  

22 JANUARY 2021