SIBU: The first day of the implementation of the additional standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the conditional movement control order (CMCO) caused some confusion among the business community here.
This was said by Sibu Coffee Shop and Restaurant Owners Association chairman Tong Ing Kok when contacted by reporters today.
“However, the matter was quickly resolved after we spoke to the SOPs monitoring team from the police and Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) enforcement agency,” he said.
He said that coffee shop owners still set up their tables and chairs as usual to prepare meals in their premises.
“Many of us do not know that our store is in Zone 6, which is the City Centre, and this is why many were confused.
“Fortunately, they only advised us and didn’t give us summons,” he added jokingly.
He said that by the second day today (April 7), all members of the association were already aware of the additional SOPs.
“Yesterday morning, they (members) did not know and a few were still confused. Some members in the city area contacted me to ask about their respective zones and after being explained to, they understood,” he said.
He said although the decision by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) might affect their income, they are grateful because they are still given the opportunity to operate their businesses.
“It does not matter as long as we can open our businesses. We understand the very difficult situation at the moment, especially since we are still struggling with the increase in daily Covid-19 cases which is getting higher day by day.
“We will continue to abide by any decision from the government to help them reduce the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
On Friday, the SMC through its chairman Clarence Ting issued a statement saying that all coffee shops and restaurants located in Zones 1 to 7 can only provide food delivery and takeaway services from April 16 to 26.
