MIRI: Owners of coffee shops and eateries in Miri have been urged to ensure that the Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) and the smoking ban are properly enforced at their premises.
The Miri Division Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) led by minister-in-charge Datuk Lee Kim Shin held a dialogue session with the Miri Coffee Shop Owners Association at the Miri Resident’s Office here on Thursday.
This was aimed at hearing views, feedback, and issues faced by coffee shop owners with regard to enforcement and compliance with the Covid-19 SOP which was tightened after Miri turned into a yellow zone.
During the dialogue session, the Miri City Council (MCC) gave a briefing on the SOP for eateries as outlined by the Local Government and Housing Ministry.
Relevant agencies such as the Miri Division Health Office, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), and Miri Hospital also gave explanations regarding compliance to ensure that efforts to combat the pandemic.
Lee, who is also Transport Minister, said, “We have requested MCC to distribute diagrams of examples of the proper layout for tables which should be implemented in coffee shops to ensure that physical distancing is applied correctly.”
In light of complaints from the public on individuals smoking at coffee shops, the committee through the Miri Division Health Office urged coffee shop owners and the public to always adhere to the smoking ban at coffee shops and food premises.
Coffee shop owners were also asked to put up ‘no smoking’ signages at their outlets. Food premise owners were also urged to politely reprimand customers found smoking at their premises.
A Miri Division Health Officer reminded that those who flouted the rule could be issued a compound of RM250 for the first and second offences.
It was informed that a reduction to RM150 would only be given for the first offence if payment was made in a month, and that no reduction would be given for the second offence.
Following this dialogue session, the Miri DDMC had a meeting with all relevant agencies and departments to discuss Covid-19 developments and preparedness to face floods.
On Covid-19, the Miri DDMC during the meeting focused on duties carried out by MoH, Miri Hospital, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Civil Defence Force (APM), and all relevant agencies.
Aside from that, discussions were held on several issues faced by MoH and Miri Hospital in managing Covid-19 cases in Miri. For the record, a total of 20,905 quarantine orders have been issued throughout the movement control order (MCO) period in Miri.
With regard to flood preparedness, the Miri DDMC discussed preparations to face floods during the monsoon season which is expected to from December this year to January next year.
“All agencies in Miri which are involved in rescue and have assets are advised to check and ensure those assets are in good condition. This inspection needs to be done so that those assets can be used in the event of an emergency,” he said.
Also present was Miri Acting Resident Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf.
