Guard up: Food and beverage handlers throughout Selangor are now required to wear face masks. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
FROM Jan 1, face masks are required for all food and beverage workers in Selangor to enhance safety and hygiene.
However, state local government, public transportation and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han clarified that local councils were empowered to decide on the start date for its implementation.
He said the circular applied to all food handlers, including cooks, waiters and hawkers, and will be enforced by the respective local councils.
“It is to prevent workers from coughing or sneezing onto food and drinks, which may cause contamination,” he told StarMetro.
Stakeholders interviewed by StarMetro said the notice period given was too short.
ALSO READ: Face masks a must for Shah Alam F&B operators
Restaurant and Bistro Owners Association vice-president Jeremy Lim said the state government should have consulted industry players first.
“This is crucial to ensure a new policy can be implemented smoothly and to avoid confusion,” he said.
MBSA has issued notices to food operators on the new face mask ruling. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
Lim expressed concern that face masks could increase operating costs.
“Bigger establishments might be able to absorb the costs but smaller ones may pass it on to consumers,” he said.
Petaling Jaya Coffeeshop Association president Keu Kok Meng said while masking up should be encouraged, making it mandatory was not the right move.
“Our association members’ workers continue to mask up even though it is no longer compulsory as the country is transitioning to the endemic phase,” he pointed out.
He hopes local councils will keep the ruling simple by not specifying the type of masks that should be used.
Keu, however, did not expect the ruling to significantly increase operating costs.
“Assuming that you have 10 workers, you will need around 10 to 12 boxes of face masks with 30 pieces each.
“This will come up to about RM180 a month, which is a relatively small amount,” he said.
Jawahar: Face masks should be optional as eateries tend to be hot and stuffy.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said the wearing of face masks should be optional.
“Eateries tend to be hot and stuffy and workers spend up to half a day there.
“Some have difficulty breathing when wearing a mask for extended periods,” he said.
Jawahar proposed that the authorities make the wearing of face masks voluntary, but those that do should be given credit.
“Outlets that follow the ruling should receive extra marks during the cleanliness assessment.
“This will encourage others to adopt it,” he added.
In the circular sighted by StarMetro dated Oct 17 and signed by state secretary Datuk Haris Kasim, it was stated that the recommendation would apply to food preparers, handlers and operators.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was quoted as saying on Dec 29 that the face mask rule would be implemented in stages.
He noted that the ruling would involve amendments to several by-laws at local government level.
“What is important at this stage is the education process of within one to three months,” he said.
Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) was the first to announce the implementation during its full board meeting on Dec 16, which was reported by StarMetro.
StarMetro’s report on Dec 17, 2022.
Mayor Dr Nor Fuad Abdul Hamid said the decision was made by the Selangor executive council at its meeting in September, based on Health Ministry’s standard operating procedure.
It started implementing the rule on Jan 1, with prior notice given to food establishments in late 2022.
Nor Fuad said the ruling encompassed all eateries including food trucks in commercial areas, traders at open-air markets as well as roadside hawkers.
He said those who do not comply could be fined RM300.
Selayang Municipal Council has also started implementing the face mask rule from Jan 1.
Its spokesperson said the council had encouraged food operators to adopt the rule earlier to ensure a soft landing for implementation.
Keu: Local councils should not specify the type of masks to be used.
Kajang Municipal Council planned to start enforcement this month, said its corporate planning and public relations director Kamarul Izlan Sulaiman.
“It will be incorporated into licensing and permit application requirements,” he said, adding a notice would be issued for non-compliance.
Klang Municipal Council Corporate Communications Department director Norfiza Mahfiz said a meeting would be held soon among top management to discuss the matter.
In Singapore, food handlers have been required to wear a face mask or other forms of physical barrier since April, 2020.
This requirement applies to retail F&B establishments, hawker centres, coffeeshops, restaurants, supermarkets and trade fairs, among others.
The “spit guard” rule by the Singapore Food Agency covers all personnel engaged in the sale and preparation of food and drinks.
Face shields, which have a gap at the bottom, are not allowed.
However, workers that bring food to customers, collect payment and clean the premises are exempted from the “spit guard” rule.
The onus was on business owners to ensure that their workers comply with the rule, failing which legal action would be taken against them, said the agency.
Consumers were in two minds about the new face mask rule, saying both food cleanliness and workers’ comfort is important.
Petaling Jaya resident Adrian Ng said customers would have better peace of mind with the mask-on ruling.
“I once saw a restaurant worker cough and sneeze onto a tray full of food which was gross,” he said.
Shah Alam resident Hazim Ahmad was doubtful if face masks would be effective as food-related illnesses are caused by bacteria.
“If workers are sick, in which case they would need to mask up, they should not be working anyway.
“The focus should be on encouraging good hygiene such as frequent hand washing,” he said.
Another Petaling Jaya resident, Shanti K, said face masks did not ensure hygiene as most workers could be seen wearing them below their chins.
“I doubt they wash their hands after touching their face masks as they should,” she said.
