All personnel engaged in the sale and preparation of food and drinks will be required to wear masks or other forms of physical barriers, such as face shields, from April 13 onwards.

According to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), those who do not comply with the requirements are liable to a penalty of up to S$5,000, have their licenses suspended or cancelled, or both.

SFA previously issued an advisory on April 6

The new requirement is meant to protect the workers against possible transmission from others, and to prevent transmission to others, should the workers be infected but asymptomatic.

This includes personnel at hawker centre stalls, coffee shops, restaurants, supermarkets and caterers.

SFA also reminded food handlers not to handle food when they are unwell, and for food establishments to follow SFA and NEA's Sanitation and Hygiene Advisory.

Previously, on April 6, SFA issued an advisory to operators of food and beverage (F&B) establishments, informing them that food handlers and employees should wear a mask or face shield while they are working.

As of April 13, this has become compulsory.

Top image from SFA's Facebook page.