Leaders of Bangladesh Restaurant Owners' Association in Chattogram are worried as the government has decided that dine-in customers must show their Covid-19 vaccine certificate to get service.

Expressing their concerns, the leaders said if the government issues such an order, it will be a big trouble for the restaurant sector.

Recently, the health minister said the government was going to issue an order to bar people who did not receive both vaccine doses from entering restaurants, shopping malls, trains, launches and aeroplanes.

While talking to The Daily Star, Elias Ahmed Bhuyan, president of the association, said, "Checking the vaccine certificate of every customer will not be viable for restaurant staff."

"Many are yet to get vaccinated, while many others are still waiting to get the text their message after registering," he said.

"If staffers ask customers to show their vaccine certificate, altercations might start," he said. "If the rule is imposed, customers would decrease to a very low number."

"We welcome the government's steps for curbing the infection rate, but it should take realistic steps," he said. "Instead of showing certificates, it should emphasise wearing facemasks and physical distancing."

Abdul Hannan, general secretary of the association, said, "We haven't received any incentive from the government during the pandemic."

"Around three lakh workers have been working in the sector in the city, and around eight lakh people are dependent on their income," he said.