Petaling Jaya, 14 May 2020
The food and beverage sector will see continued challenges as consumers remain cautious about dining out despite relaxation of the movement control order (MCO).
Boat Noodles restaurant owner Tony Lim said business has been slow since the government announced earlier this month that restaurants could already start operating, albeit with certain conditions in place.
“Around 40% of our stores, all of which are located in shopping malls, are open.
“However, business has been slow as footfall into shopping centres have been quite low, ” he told StarBiz.
Lim, who owns 48 stores nationwide, said it would take quite a while before customers will return to shopping malls with confidence again.
“It will take time before people become comfortable again. We are hopeful that in the week before Hari Raya, things picking up again.”
The government imposed MCO on March 18 to tackle the rising number of Covid-19 infections. The MCO, which was initially supposed to last two weeks, has been extended to June 9.
On May 1, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that almost all economic sectors and business activities would be allowed to resume, effective May 4.
Challenging times: Lim at one of his food outlets at Jaya One in Petaling Jaya. Lim, who owns 48 stores nationwide, says it will take quite a while before customers return to shopping malls with confidence again.
Source: The Star
Full Article: https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2020/05/14/slow-business-for-fb-despite-easing-mco
