92 people caught breaching safe management measures at hawker centres over the weekend

Between Oct 15 to 17, 92 people were caught for breaking safe management measures at various hawker centres.

This was the first weekend after Vaccination-Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS) was extended to hawker centres, where only those fully-vaccinated can dine-in while the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated can only enter to take away meals.

The 92 individuals were caught for gathering in groups of more than two, not maintaining a safe distance of at least one metre, and not wearing masks.

This occurred at hawker centres such as Newton Food Centre, Whampoa Food Centre, Haig Road Market & Food Centre, Golden Mile Food Centre, Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, and Chinatown Complex Market & Food Centre.

Surveillance cameras have been set up by NEA at selected centres to complement the physical monitoring of compliance of SMMs.

Safe Distancing Enforcement Officers (SDEOs) have taken an advisory approach from Oct 13 to 19, where unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals found to be dining in were urged to finish up their meal and leave the hawker centre promptly. Thus far, more than 800 diners have been found to infringe the VDS.

It was announced on Oct 9 that only those who are fully vaccinated are allowed to dine in at hawker centres and coffee shops. Those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated are only allowed to buy take-away food from hawker centres and coffee shops. 

From Oct 20, enforcement actions will be taken against those found to have breached VDS at the hawker centres. Police assistance will be requested for those who refuse to cooperate with the directions of the SDEOs. 

“Patrons, stallholders and others who enter the markets and hawker centres are reminded to perform SafeEntry check-in and check-out, even if and when the access points of centres are not manned, wear their masks covering the nose and mouth fully, and practise good personal hygiene,” NEA said.