KUALA LUMPUR: After suffering huge losses over the last two years, nightclubs in the country will finally be allowed to reopen starting midnight tonight.
Nightclubs are the last of many industries to be allowed to operate under new standard operating procedures (SOP). One of the SOP states that patrons must take an RTK-antigen test within 24 hours before being allowed in.
This SOP is among the many regulations imposed by the authorities to ensure there are no new Covid-19 clusters as a result of the reopening.
While nightclub operators lauded the move, some were worried if they would be able to juggle between ensuring everyone had taken the test and serving customers, both at the same time.
One of the operators of an outlet in TREC KL, who only wanted to be known as Kimi said they would not be opening their outlet tonight yet, as they have yet to streamline internal issues such as staff, security, floor management and seating arrangements.
He said the outlet is also contemplating whether it is a good move to make their patrons take the test at the entrance itself before allowing entry.
"It's not as simple as that. There are many issues we must look into before we can safely reopen.
"We also need to comply with the requirements as a business entity and have adequate staff to handle the crowd, when we reopen," he said.
He added although the country has entered the transition to endemic phase, the safety of the staff and patrons were of utmost importance.
"We don't want to be blamed for a new cluster or a sudden spike in cases," he said adding that the outlet management would be holding a meeting on Monday to discuss the reopening.
Another nightclub operator who did not want to be named added that many nightclubs are experiencing staff shortage and this hampered their usual operating process.
The operator said they would be opening the club tonight but only for their regulars and by invitation.
"We have assigned two staff to verify the Covid-19 testing and vaccination status before anyone is allowed into the club.
"For now, we will be selling the RTK-Antigen test kit to those who did not get themselves tested within the last 24 hours. So anyone who may not be aware of this requirement can simply purchase the kit here," he said.
He added that the club is scheduled to reopen fully starting from Tuesday.
"We are short of staff at this moment because half of them left for other jobs during the pandemic and the rest who were foreigners have gone back to their own countries. We sent out an urgent hiring announcement a few days ago but have yet to finalise the list to hire," he added.
Meanwhile, a nightclub operator in Bukit Bintang who only wanted to be known as Jay said he was happy about the reopening although it comes with certain restrictions and clauses.
"I'm sure the patrons wouldn't mind taking the Covid-19 test at the entrance because it is the new way of life since the pandemic struck. Besides, people would not want to risk getting infected.
"My main concern is more on how we are going to keep tabs on those who go in and out of the club," he said when contacted.
When asked if this testing requirement would affect business or scare away customers, Jay said this may not be the case but he felt that it would take some time before nightclubs have a full house, like in the past before Covid-19 hit.
Jay added that patrons in groups are known to quickly grow while partying, and may slack in terms of SOPs.
"We have to keep an eye on this too. At times, when you're in a partying mode, nothing else would matter. We can have signboards and barricades to direct them but when they are intoxicated, it's difficult," he said referring to the house rules or dos and don'ts.