PETALING JAYA: The streets of Kuala Lumpur were lined with people ready to get their groove on as the two-year restriction on nightclub operations due to the pandemic came to an end as of midnight.
Nightclubs were the only remaining activity on the National Security Council’s (MKN) negative list following the country’s transition to the endemic phase from April 1. But health minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced late last month that they will be allowed to resume operations from May 15, subject to strict SOPs.
Patrons will only be allowed into nightclubs after presenting a negative Covid-19 RTK-Antigen test result, conducted within 24 hours prior to their entry into the premises.
Individuals will also be allowed to remove their masks when drinking, eating or dancing while in the nightclubs.
FMT spoke to patrons and business owners at some of these nightspots last night, over the resumption of business and especially with dancing also allowed.
Clubbers voiced how excited they were that they could finally dance to their hearts’ content, and many could be seen waiting in long queues to enter their chosen venue for the night.
Khairun Zabidi, 36, believed that being fully vaccinated is the first line of defence. She also agreed with the need to do a self-test before mixing with others in a big crowd and putting everyone, including herself, at risk.
“I think it’s about figuring out what the new normal looks like. We can’t have life stopped just because of a pandemic.
“It is about keeping those who are the most vulnerable safe. However, I think as long as all of us are responsible, then that’s the best defence we have.”
She added that with businesses opening up again, it was time for social life to return as part of the “new normal”.
“If we can congregate for prayers and large events, why not parties?”
DJ Onil Hemelton, 24, noted that after the long wait, industry players had many events lined up and were just happy to be finally back in business.
An emcee who goes by the name of Zypherz, 33, shared the plight of those working in the nightlife industry, with many being laid off since nightclubs were ordered to cease operations more than two years ago.
“I’m happy that we’re back to normal again but hopefully the authorities don’t have any more issues with nightlife activities. There are people working as emcees and bartenders, who all lost their jobs during the pandemic.”
Calling the Covid-19 situation “complicated”, he was on the fence about how safe it was for people to be maskless in nightclubs but maintains that he was willing to “take the risk” as he enjoys working in the nightlife industry.
Likening the reopening of nightclubs to a New Year’s Eve celebration, Shayan Khajoee, general manager at a nightclub, told FMT that the reaction from partygoers was extremely positive, with reservations fully booked as soon as the government gave the green light.
While he admitted it might be difficult to carry out checks on the self-test for every patron, he insisted that people in the industry have to “do their part”.
“We just have to follow the SOPs, because it’s a privilege given to us, so we cannot take advantage of it.”
Meanwhile, the dance floors in some nightclubs remained vacant as there was a shortage of manpower to run the operations.
Godwin Pereira, owner of a nightclub in Kuala Lumpur, spoke of how the lack of staff held back many nightclubs from opening even though they were finally allowed to.
“We’re not operating today because we don’t have enough manpower. Everybody’s having a staffing problem. It’s not as easy as everyone thinks it is. You can’t just snap your fingers and open up,” he told FMT.
“It’s not so easy to get our former staff back too because they’ve got other jobs now and commitments. Also, even if I employ someone new, I need time to train them and get them familiar with our operations. So, that takes a little bit of time.”
After such a long slump, Pereira reminded nightclub patrons to appreciate those keeping the industry alive and urged them to be more patient and understanding towards the service crew doing their job.
“We hope guests now value us right down from our door staff and security, to our wait staff. We just hope the mentality has changed for people to be kinder.”
Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2022/05/15/crowded-dance-floors-as-nightclubs-get-down-to-business/