Kuala Lumpur May 10 FMT — The Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) appealed today against the blanket ban on dining in, saying the industry is willing to impose stricter SOPs, including limiting dining time and lowering capacity.
Its president N Subramaniam said the blanket ban on dine-in has left hotels in a predicament with only days to reorganise what was planned for the entire month.
He said the hotels are not only left with excess supplies of perishables but have also committed manpower for the period.
As it is, Subramaniam said, the government did not offer any support or assistance when announcing the third movement control order (MCO), leaving hotels “high and dry” with cancellations of room bookings for the Hari Raya holidays.
“With the current situation that cuts off all revenue streams, the industry is willing to impose stricter SOPs,” he said in a statement.
This includes served-buffet service, limiting two per table and even mandatory testing for hotel guests checking in from different states.
“The government needs to consider these options before imposing blanket bans to allow the industry to at least survive on its own,” he said.
Subramaniam said while the industry understands the need for movement restrictions, there is room for improvement in striking a balance between lives and livelihoods.
He said hotels are already badly impacted by extended interstate travel restrictions, adding that the industry lost a minimum of RM135 million in food and beverage revenues last year as the nation was under an MCO during the fasting month.
Last week, six districts in Selangor as well as Kuala Lumpur and parts of Johor, Terengganu and Perak were placed under the MCO following a surge in Covid-19 cases.
Yesterday, Kluang in Johor was also placed under an MCO.
