Diners in Singapore looking forward to once again having their meals at hawker centres, take note: Not only are you required to stick to two pax per table, you must remember to clear your own trays and crockery after meals.

The returning of trays and crockery by diners is now a must at public dining places in Singapore.

But as Covid-19 would have it, before this habit could even start, it was put on hold.

This was due to the mandatory tray-clearing initiative being announced by the National Environment Agency (NEA) on May 14, 2021, right before the tightened measures of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) were unveiled that lasted from May 16 to June 13, which saw the dine-out option removed completely.

Advisory period for next 3 months

However, punitive enforcement action will not kick in immediately.

There will first be an advisory period from June 1 to Aug. 31, 2021.

No enforcement action will be taken during this period, but diners should return their trays and crockery upon being advised.

Safe Distancing Ambassadors (SDAs), SG Clean Ambassadors, Community Volunteers and NEA officers will be deployed at hawker centres to remind diners to clear their trays and also get rid of litter, such as used wet tissues, wrappers, and food remnants.

This new restriction is not a new law, NEA added, as leaving litter on dining tables is already enforceable as a littering offence under the Environmental Public Health Act (EPHA).

Posters and banners have been progressively put up at hawker centres.

More tray return infrastructure have been gradually installed.

Fines will kick in from Sep. 1, 2021

Enforcement action will subsequently start taking effect from Sep. 1, 2021 at all hawker centres.

Enforcement officers will continue to advise diners to properly clear their dirty tray, crockery and litter during this time.

Enforcement will apply to recalcitrant diners who do not heed the officers’ advice.

First-time offenders will then be issued with a written warning.

Second-time offenders will face a composition fine of S$300, while subsequent offenders may face court fines.

The elderly and children under the age of 12 can get help from others in clearing their trays if they cannot do so by themselves.

NEA will monitor the ground situation and make adjustments over time to the enforcement posture accordingly.

The agency will be working with the Singapore Food Agency to progressively roll out enforcement at coffeeshops and food courts in the fourth quarter of the year.

Top photo via Google Maps