The divide between the vaccinated and unvaccinated people continue to deepen as the government starts to ease and lift some restrictions for fully-vaccinated individuals nationwide. The rule allows some semblance of normal life to return, as many outlets have been allowing vaccinated people to enter their premises.
Although the government has not made it mandatory for Malaysians to get vaccinated, it is certainly evident that those who refuse vaccination could face restraints in socialising and engaging in leisure activities as more places such as eateries only allow entry to the immunised bearers.
These instances arouse questions of discrimination and protests regarding the restraints for the non-vaccinated individuals. Recently, Twitter user @AfiqAfendi uploaded a photo referring to a notice board placed outside a restaurant located in Taman Tun Dr Ismail. The notice written on the board stated that the restaurant welcomes only those who have been fully vaccinated to opt for take-out or dine-in.
The Nasi Kerabu restaurant imposed a rather lenient rule to individuals who have received their first dose of vaccine by only allowing them to ‘tapau’ their food although no dine-in is permitted. The non-vaccinated people, however, will not be allowed either choice and will not be served as the notice read, “Non-vaccinated or anti-vaxx, yes! Yes! You can go away!”
The post was captioned with, “A dash of necessary violence at a local Nasi Kerabu booth in TTDI.” Twitter user @AfiqAfendi also noted that the strict SOP actually eases the customers and applauds the restaurant’s precautionary measures. The netizens, however, have differing thoughts.
The refusal to serve unvaccinated people has caused a stir between the public as some deemed the action to be discriminatory. The comment section of the Twitter post has been flooded with heated discussions between netizens who have differing opinions regarding the restaurant’s measure.
Some netizens commented that the restaurant should not unfairly lump both unvaccinated individuals and anti-vaxxers in the same sentence. Some claimed that there are some people who have yet to receive their vaccination appointments, thus they should not be included together with anti-vaxxers who clearly reject and refuse inoculation.
There are also netizens who supported the restaurant operators action and remarked that the condition set up by the restaurant has nothing to do with discrimination. Some netizens stressed that the operators have the right to preserve the safety of themselves and their employees. They also deemed that the notice could serve as a lesson to those who refuse vaccination, so that they are aware of the repercussions of their choice.
Netizens who are in support of the action also noted that the question of getting vaccination appointments should not be an issue as walk-in PPVs are already made available nationwide. So, what do you guys think of these restrictions? Should non-vaccinated people be allowed to enter premises?
Sources: @AfiqAfandi’s Twitter, China Press
