KUCHING: Some members of the public are of the opinion that customers should be allowed to dine-in in their cars — whether or not they are using the eateries’ plates and cutleries or the take-away packaging and cutleries.
The issue came to light after Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail said food premises offering customers with ‘in-car serving’ dining are technically breaking the ‘no dining-in’ standard operating procedure (SOP) when using the premises’ own dishes and cutleries.
When met by New Sarawak Tribune yesterday (May 24), the people here agreed that using dishes and cutleries provided by restaurants is still a safe way to serve customers and avoid transmitting Covid-19.
They believe that it is not against the SOP as the food operator would only be serving clean and packed cutleries to their customers.
However, some also voiced their concerns over the handling of cutleries prepared by the restaurants, saying that it is better to be safe than sorry in support of a stricter SOP to allow diners to munch in the comfort of their own cars.
Lanusha Krishnan, Desk research assistant
I believe it still does justice to the SOP, provided that restaurant cutleries are packed and protected from contamination. Besides, it is also contactless. I believe that it is still safe for diners to use dishes and cutleries provided by the restaurants.
Leandro Mcrae, Admin executive
Dining in your own vehicle should be allowed since the only ones dining are just the driver and passengers, no outsiders. It will not affect anyone else as they are staying only in their own vehicle. There’s also no difference between using your own cutlery and the restaurant’s cutlery, they will still be dining in the car.
Vinitha Krishnan, Finance student
In the current situation, we might not know who would have handled the cutleries. There might be slight chances of allowing the spread of the virus. Therefore, it’s definitely better to take extra precautions by bringing your own cutlery to eat your food or use disposable ones.
Teo Wan Shiang, Private sector worker
We understand that customers do miss dining at restaurants, however, it’s fine to only buy food served in takeaway packaging. Although diners may not be in contact with other customers, contact between them and the food operators pose a risk to Covid-19 infection. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Carolyn Philip, Private sector worker
I believe it is better for customers to enjoy their food using disposable cutleries and takeaway packaging. When food handlers deliver food using their trays, we may not know the level of cleanliness of the restaurant. Some may be good but others might not be.
