JB businesses tighten their SOPs to keep virus at bay

JOHOR BARU: Businesses here have been sticking to their own standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure their workers are safe amid the rising cases of Covid-19 of late.

Johor Indian Muslim Entrepreneurs Association secretary Hussein Ibrahim said the guild has insisted all workers at its member restaurants wear a proper face mask during their shift.

“We made this a priority, especially at outlets in the Johor Baru area, where many of the patrons are visitors from Singapore as well as Malaysians who work across the border.

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“A small number of restaurant workers got sick in the past few weeks due to the unpredictable weather, but they did not test positive for Covid-19,” he said in an interview.

He added that the association has reminded its 385 members to make sure their workers at all outlets continue maintaining their personal hygiene to prevent the virus from spreading among them.

Asked whether the restaurants plan on taking their own initiative to reintroduce temperature checks before letting customers into their premises, Hussein said this will only be burdensome for the workers and patrons.

He added that the association will follow the Health Ministry directives and make changes if necessary.

“We also appeal to patrons who are unwell or test positive for Covid-19 to avoid dining in.

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“We recommend takeaways for their favourite dishes for the safety of others around them,” he said.

Checks at some restaurants and shops here found customers wearing face masks when entering the premises.

Traditional Chinese medicine shop supervisor Teoh Kah Siang said his staff and customers have taken the initiative to mask up even though it is not a requirement to do so at present.

“There were also people asking for Covid-19 self-test kits at my shop because they could not get them at nearby pharmacies.

“I tried acquiring more stock to sell but was told that there is a massive shortage of test kits currently due to the high demand,” he said.

Teoh added that there was about a 30% increase in customers looking for herbs and traditional Chinese medicine to treat Covid-19 symptoms.

“Most of our customers will themselves maintain a safe distance while shopping.

“Some of them also take the herbs as a precautionary measure after being unable to self-test because of the lack of test kits,” he said, adding that it costs more to get tested at clinics.

Johor Baru Coffee, Restaurant and Bar Operators Association chairman Wee Liang Fatt said it is business as usual at the eateries, with no spike in Covid-19 cases among the cooks and wait staff.

“Businesses are also not planning to take extra steps to prevent Covid-19 as people are used to it by now.

“We just hope that the staff and customers would be responsible and isolate themselves when necessary to prevent the situation from worsening again,” he said.