Ramadan buffets still popular for breaking-the-fast

KUALA LUMPUR: After missing out in 2020, Ramadan buffets are making a strong come-back, and are the favourites for breaking-the-fast despite the need to adhere to strict SOPs to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Menara Kuala Lumpur (KL Tower) chief executive officer Ainol Shaharina Sahar said they were targeting 5,000 customers throughout Ramadan this time, taking into account the capacity of its hall with physical distancing measures in place.

In fact, she said, almost 50 per cent of the available slots for the month had already been booked by individuals and the corporate sector.

"We are currently limiting entry to only 200 customers per day, which is 50 per cent of the capacity prior to the pandemic.

"The buffet spread is still the same, only the quantity is reduced," she said when contacted by Bernama today.

Meanwhile, Hotel Intercontinental's food and beverage manager, Tang Kim Soon said the hotel provided staff to help serve food to customers in order to reduce contact and remain compliant with the set standard operating procedures (SOP).

"Among the challenges faced are in ensuring physical distancing, for example when customers request to put tables together, as well as the compliance in terms of wearing face masks and (SOPs to observe) when eating at the table,'' said Tang, who also encouraged customers to book their spots ahead of time.

World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) Marketing Communications Department director Intan Tantiyana Puteri Jaafar said they had prepared a special team to help monitor SOP compliance among customers, especially with regard to physical distancing.

''Members of the team will wear a 'Covid Ambassador' vest and will alert customers if they don't comply with the SOP or if a crowd gathers inadvertently," she said.

Intan Tantiyana Puteri said WTCKL had received bookings for almost 40 per cent of its available slots to date, and expected an increase in bookings in the second week through various platforms.

S'lasih Restaurant owner, Tengku Daud Shah Tengku Adnan said the outlet was providing a variety of almost 100 Asian dishes daily, which could also be ordered through delivery services such as Foodpanda and GrabFood.

Ramadan last year took place during the Movement Control Order (MCO) whereby food from restaurants, hotels and food outlets was only available on take-away or delivery basis.

-- BERNAMA