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Safety first

PETALING JAYA: Conformity to social distancing should be the criteria to determine whether entertainment outlets are allowed to reopen for business.

If that is possible, it should be safe for pubs, night clubs and karaoke centres to resume operations, according to the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

Its president Dr N. Ganabaskaran said precautions must be taken to prevent overcrowding.

“Not doing so will raise the risk of Covid-19 infections,” he told theSun yesterday.

Restaurants, even those that have a licence to serve alcoholic drinks, have been allowed to operate but nightspots such as pubs and bars remain closed.

However, establishments that have a kitchen and a restaurant licence but operating primarily as an outlet that serves alcoholic drinks, are also allowed to open.

Ganabaskaran pointed out that physical distancing would be the main challenge and this has to be addressed to ensure it is safe to be at bars and other entertainment outlets.

“The authorities may need to limit the number of people or the seating capacity,” he said.

“Overcrowding will lead to an increased risk of infection and new clusters. If the number of cases rises exponentially and if they are too widespread, we may be forced back into another movement control order.”

Ganabaskaran added that another challenge would be monitoring compliance and enforcement, and recommended that operators engage with the authorities to draw up safe and workable standard operating procedures (SOP).

“If given the approval to reopen, operators must ensure the SOP is strictly adhered to.”

He said in South Korea, the number of Covid-19 cases rose quickly after several people went to packed bars and clubs when some restrictions were lifted in May.

Meanwhile, a Health Ministry official said pubs and bars were not allowed to operate due to the venues being “cramped and enclosed”.

“Physical distancing and the wearing of face masks is impossible (at such places),” he said.

On restaurants being allowed to open despite similar conditions, the official said it was because restaurants were open areas, while pubs were enclosed places.

Asked if restaurants that are enclosed would be instructed to cease operations, the official said restaurants were allowed to operate as the SOP is already in place, without commenting if

an SOP was being drafted to allow entertainment outlets to reopen.

In commenting on the compliance of SOP by bars and restaurant operators, the Malaysian Food and Beverage Executives Association said most outlets currently allowed to operate were strictly adhering to the guidelines.

“Most licensed bars and restaurants are fully implementing Health Ministry SOP such as entrance registration, temperature sensors and preparing hand sanitisers,” said association president Hisham Tan.

Since the start of the MCO, owners of bars, pubs and other entertainment outlets have been highlighting their plight to the government, as many in the industry have lost their income.

Also badly affected are musicians, as they are currently not allowed to play “live” at any establishment.

Founder and executive director of The Olive Tree Group, Leslie Gomez, said restrictions such as the banning of “live” bands, social distancing, and shorter operating hours have decreased his revenue by half.

“I respect the Health Ministry SOP but I don’t see why musicians can’t be allowed to play if social distancing is adhered to,” he said.

Source: TheSunDaily