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More than 4,500 diners have been reminded to return their trays as dining in restrictions lifted islandwide on June 21, said Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor during a visit to North Bridge Road Market and Food Centre on June 22.

It is now mandatory to return trays and crockery after meals at public dining places in Singapore.

Aside from creating a "cleaner and safer environment" for workers and customers, Khor said that the practice of returning plates and crockeries helps to cut down workers' workload and allows them to focus on cleaning and sanitising the tables.

Enforcement to begin as planned on September 1

Khor also said that during the advisory period – which runs from June 1 to end August 2021 – authorities will continue to intensify outreach to raise awareness about the mandatory measures, CNA reported.

Referencing the recent Bukit Merah View Covid-19 cluster, Khor said that dining in public is associated with "considerable risks", thus making it important for public places to maintain "high standards of cleanliness", reported The Straits Times.

Enforcement of the new rules will thus be carried out as planned on September 1.

According to NEA, enforcement officers, including Safe Distancing Ambassadors (SDAs), SG Clean Ambassadors, Community Volunteers and NEA officers, will continue to advise diners to properly clear their dirty tray, crockery and litter from September.

However, enforcement will be taken against diners who do not heed the officers’ advice. A written warning will be issued for the first offence; repeat offenders may subsequently face a composition fine of S$300 or court fines.

Khor observed that some members of the public at North Bridge Road Market and Food Centre cleared their own tables after eating:

"This is very encouraging, and we hope that diners will already have the habit of clearing the table by the time enforcement kicks in on September 1."

Consultation with stakeholders ongoing: NEA

Khor confirmed that NEA will be working with stakeholders, such as the Hawkers' Associations and cleaning companies, to improve the table cleaning workflow for cleaners.

Instead of clearing dirty trays and food remnants, cleaners will focus on sanitising tables and managing tray return stations.

NEA will also install 75 more tray return stations at hawker centres in addition to the 900 available now.

NEA said:

"The Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the need for all of us to maintain high public hygiene and cleanliness standards.

To strengthen environmental public health resilience amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond, NEA urges the public to practise good hygiene at our public dining places so as to protect other diners and cleaners, many of whom are also seniors."

Top image via Amy Khor Facebook