KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA) is pleading with the government to allow its members time to meet several requirements under the standard operating procedures (SOP) set for the reopening of the retail sector.
While expressing relief on the government's latest decision to allow the resumption of retail businesses today, MRA deputy president Raymond Teo said some of the SOP, including the use of disposable gloves for customers to prevent the spread of Covid-19, would need detailed preparation beforehand.
"If the decision was announced sooner, we would have some time to get things ready.
"I notice some of the additional requirements under the SOP include the use of disposable gloves for customers.
"We plead to the government to give us some time to purchase the disposable gloves. This is because there will be a sudden surge in demand (for gloves) and supplies will run out soon.
"Regardless, it is still better to announce this later than never," he said yesterday.
Teo said the reopening of the retail sector was timely as the Chinese New Year celebration was drawing near, other than being conducive to the stimulation of the economy.
"We have seen the worst drop in sales, compared with the first round of the Movement Control Order (MCO). So we hope that retailers' businesses will pick up soon.
"We are sure that with the restrictions in place and the spike in cases, shoppers will be cautious. I'm sure people have learned to live with the virus by now."
Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan said many retailers had stocked up items and products for the coming Chinese New Year celebration.
"We are concerned about the retailers as they have stocked up items for the celebration," he said.
"For those who are selling apparels, they stocked up the items based on the season and if they cannot sell off the apparels this year, they would then have to wait for another year to sell them.
"Nevertheless, we welcome the decision and thank the government for allowing businesses and the retail sector to reopen."
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan expressed his gratitude over the decision to allow dine-ins at restaurants.
He said their appeal to the government for two people per table to be allowed to dine-in was finally heard.
"Of course, we will comply with the SOP. I will assign each of my staff to be present at the entrance of the premises to control the entry of patrons. Two people dining in (per table) is already enough.
"These restaurants cannot afford to take up loans since they do not have sufficient revenue to pay off rentals as dine-ins were not allowed."