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Cambodia: Customer starved restaurateurs anticipate the lifting of curfew
Phnom Penh City Hall is slated to hold a high-level meeting either today or tomorrow on whether to extend the curfew in Phnom Penh.
The municipal administration implemented a strict 9 pm to 3 am curfew on July 29. The sub-decree issued by City Hall said that it would run until August 12.
“It seems the Delta variant is under control. I believe the municipality will set up a meeting tomorrow or on the 12th and I remain confident that these measures will be lifted,” Arnaud Darc, president of the Cambodia Restaurant Association told Khmer Times.
The Kingdom was registering 45 daily cases per million people on July 31 when the curfew was implemented. Cases dropped to 34 daily cases per million people as of Sunday, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
“We will need to continue to apply safety measures more than ever so we do not see further interruption in our businesses. It is important that every business owner fulfills their responsibility towards their staff and clients,” stressed Darc.
City Hall spokesman Met Meas Pheakdey said that Phnom Penh City Hall will make a last-minute decision before the curfew is set to expire.
“The business community want [authorities] to withdraw the curfew because it is not convenient for their lifestyle and businesses, but they understand the concerns regarding the variant and the spread of Coronavirus,” he said.
According to Meas Pheakdey, there are two camps with opposing viewpoints regarding the lifting of restrictions; businesspeople who want the curfew gone and others who want to keep it in place to help control the virus.
“In the end, the decision on whether to lift the curfew rests with City Hall based on data and consultation,” he stressed.
Anthony Galliano, president of the American Chamber of Commerce, also said that he was optimistic regarding the lifting of vaccinations because more than 73 percent of the population over 18 has been vaccinated.
“Hopefully the Royal Government can leverage its success in pandemic containment and allow businesses to operate as normal as possible, synchronous with best practises in safety precautions,” said Galliano who is also group chief executive officer for Cambodian Investment Management Holding. “The ‘curfew on’ and ‘curfew off’ approach erodes consumer confidence and stimulates risk aversion, thus even when curfews are lifted, caution prevails. If the current trend of dropping infected numbers and near complete vaccination continues, consistency in open but safe business can bring the consumer back and support a fading industry,” he continued.
Restaurateurs and professionals in the hospitality industry, however, have told Khmer Times that they wish authorities would give them more notice so that they are better prepared for guests over the weekend.
Produce needs to be ordered and many staff have been given time off to reduce overheads, one businessman said under the condition of anonymity.
“Last time we were given a 24-hour notice, it was a mad scramble to get everything ready in time. People were tired of being stuck at home and it was a challenge to get our staff ready in time. They are obviously learning and doing a better job. I just hope to get more notice so that I can plan better,” he said.
The overwhelming sentiment among insiders and the business community is that the curfew will likely be lifted.
Jorge Chen, owner of Fat Passion in Daun Penh district, said that he was heartened by the fact that there are no discussions regarding upgrading the curfew to a lockdown like that in April.
Takeaways and deliveries have helped maintain his business but the loss in alcohol sales has cut down profit margins.
As a result, Chen has been offering promotions. People who order a dish are being provided an additional serving of fried chicken at a discounted price.
“There’s no catering or parties. The curfew has affected every angle of our business. Online ordering is making up for it a bit but it’s not even close to what we expected,” he said.
Chen is considering temporarily closing Fat Passion for a week should the curfew persist so that his team can take a break and come back refreshed.
In the meantime, he says that he has learned from his experience and is planning to open two takeaway outlets in Bassac Lane and Tuol Tompoung.
“We learn, grow and adapt. This industry isn’t for the faint of heart,” he said.
Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50913366/customer-starved-restaurateurs-anticipate-the-lifting-of-curfew/