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Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
Circulars

Updated Advisory for Safe Management Measures at Food & Beverage Establishments

23 June 2021

This has been superseded by the latest advisory. Please refer to the Circulars page.

Who Should Know:
Mall developers, building owners, food & beverage business owners

Effective Date:
21 Jun 2021

  1. The Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) announced a calibrated reopening to Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) starting with Stage 1 on 14 June 2021, and a further reopening with Stage 2 on 21 June 2021. Due to the persistence of undetected community transmission cases, higher-risk activities such as dining-in at F&B establishments will only be allowed to resume in group sizes of up to 2 persons.

  2. To provide a safe environment for customers and workers, food and beverage (F&B) establishments currently in operation must implement Safe Management Measures (SMMs) (opens in new tab), as required by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and comply with the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations.

  3. In addition, F&B establishments are required to comply with the measures set out by Enterprise Singapore (ESG), Housing & Development Board (HDB), Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in this document. The information in this document supersedes that in previous advisories or statements.

Latest updates for F&B establishments

  1. From 21 June 2021, F&B establishments are allowed to resume food service operations, with the exception of establishments with Pubs, Bars, Nightclubs, Discos and Karaoke SFA license categories or SSIC codes starting with 5613. They must comply with the following:

    1. F&B establishments are only permitted to seat dining groups of up to 2 persons.

    2. F&B establishments must ensure that a safe distance of at least one metre is maintained between groups of diners to mitigate the risk of transmission. This refers to the distance between the edges of every group (of up to 2 persons) or person. In addition, F&B establishments must ensure that the furniture is arranged in such a way to facilitate safe distancing between groups – for example, the distance measured between the backs of chairs used by diners in different groups, or the legs of chairs if there is no back, must also be at least one metre apart. Refer to Annex A [PDF, 636KB] (opens in new tab) for the infographic on SMMs.

    3. Sale and consumption of alcohol in all F&B establishments are prohibited after 2230hrs daily1. This includes consumption at any outdoor refreshment area and/or tables/chairs2 owned or managed by such establishment. As a best practice, by around 2200hrs, F&B operators should cease the sale of alcohol as a dine-in service and remind customers to consume their alcohol by 2230hrs.

    4. F&B establishments may serve as venues for marriage solemnisations and/or work-related events by third parties and are required to comply with the SMMs for these events3 (refer to Annex B [PDF, 59KB] (opens in new tab) for SMMs at work-related events). Food and drinks are not permitted at these events. Wedding receptions remain prohibited.

    5. F&B establishments are not allowed to play any form of recorded music or sounds, including background music.

    6. F&B establishments providing dine-in services are to place all employees on a regular Fast and Easy Testing (FET) regime using tests such as antigen rapid test (ART), regardless of their vaccination status. The regular 14-day FET requirement will be progressively rolled out from 21 June 2021 and will be made mandatory from mid-July 2021. This can be done through employer-led supervised self-swabs4.

  2. All F&B establishments are also to note the following measures:

    1. Ventilate and improve the indoor air quality where possible. Refer to paragraph 6.h. for more details.

    2. F&B establishments should proactively manage potential contacts of COVID-19 cases at the workplace. Refer to https://www.gobusiness.gov.sg/covid-faqs/ (opens in new tab) for more details.

    3. Observe the protocol on disinfection for premises visited by positive COVID-19 cases. Refer to https://www.gobusiness.gov.sg/covid-faqs/ (opens in new tab) for more details.

Safe Management Measures – Customer-facing operations/Front-of-house

  1. The following measures apply to all customer-facing operations of F&B establishments:

    1. Queue management

      1. Clearly demarcate queue lines, put up signage to guide customers on where to queue to order and collect food, and ensure at least one-metre spacing between individual customers at areas such as entrances and cashier counters (e.g. through floor markers). One-metre spacing must also be maintained between queues and seated customers (e.g. remove seats that are too close to the queue if required).

      2. Demarcate a waiting area for customers and delivery personnel to pick up their food.

      3. Implement pre-ordering and pre-payment solutions where possible to minimise physical clustering of customers waiting to place or pick up their orders.

      4. Encourage the use of self-checkouts, cashless or contactless payment methods to reduce contact between employees and customers.

      5. Implement contactless pick-up for food delivery orders where possible to minimise interactions.

      6. Ensure that customers and delivery personnel observe at least one-metre spacing at all times and do not cluster together.

    2. Table and seating management

      1. Each group must be limited to 2 or fewer persons5. F&B establishments must ensure that a safe distance of at least one metre is maintained between groups of diners to mitigate the risk of transmission (refer to paragraph 4.b.).

      2. Except for solemnisations and work-related events, F&B establishments should not accept reservations or walk-ins, or allow in their premises social gatherings with more than 2 persons, even if they are split across multiple tables6. There must be no mixing or intermingling between groups.

      3. Where tables/seats are fixed, tables/seats should be marked out to accommodate groups of no more than 2 persons, while ensuring at least one-metre spacing between groups.

      4. Self-service buffet lines are not allowed7. Food lines where diners can queue and be served by F&B employees are allowed with the necessary measures in place (see paragraph 6.g.).

    3. Crowd management

      1. Radio broadcasts, all forms of television, film and video screenings8 and the provision or allowance of other forms of public entertainment activities such as live music, dancing, variety acts and singing (by employees or customers), amusement devices, darts, billiards, pool, snooker, karaoke, gambling and/or gaming instruments (e.g. dice, mahjong tiles, playing cards)9 in the F&B premises are not permitted. F&B operators should make clear to customers, for instance, that singing songs, including birthday songs, is not permitted.

      2. F&B establishments are also not allowed to play any form of recorded music or sounds, including background music.

      3. Emphatic toasting with food or drinks is disallowed, by both employees and customers. Operators should also ensure that their employees refrain from conduct that could encourage customers to make emphatic toasts.

      4. Operators of common play areas for children/toddlers/infants in F&B establishments10 must ensure at least one-metre spacing between groups of customers.

    4. Contact tracing

      1. F&B establishments must implement SafeEntry via TraceTogether-only SafeEntry for customers and visitors, with the exception of those that only provide takeaway and/or delivery, with no dine-in services11.

      2. F&B establishments required to deploy SafeEntry for customers and visitors need to provide the SafeEntry Gateway12 (SEGW) as an additional option for SafeEntry check-in. SEGW is available as a feature within the SafeEntry (Business) App (updated to the latest version) and as a physical standalone device (SEGW Box). These F&B establishments may apply for a free SEGW Box13.

      3. Refer to Annex C [PDF, 13KB] (opens in new tab) for more details.

    5. Health checks

      1. F&B establishments must conduct temperature screening14 and checks on visible symptoms15 for customers at entrances, and advise those with fever and/or who appear unwell to visit a doctor before turning them away. Those that only provide takeaway and/or delivery are not required to do so.

    6. Cleanliness and hygiene

      1. F&B establishments must ensure that all employees, delivery personnel and other onsite personnel wear their masks properly at all times. Employees who eat or drink onsite must wear their masks immediately after doing so. Establishments should also ensure that on-site diners wear their masks before food is served and immediately after their meals, as well as when diners move around the establishment.

      2. F&B establishments must ensure that common spaces and items, high-touch surfaces (e.g. counters, menus), interactive components (e.g. tablets, smart kiosks) as well as play areas for children/toddlers/infants are frequently cleaned/disinfected.

      3. Communal amenities for self-service (e.g. drink dispensers and condiment stations) must not be used16.

      4. Self-service food samples are not allowed.

      5. Hand sanitisers should be made available to employees and customers at common touchpoints (e.g. entry/exit doors, cashiers). Employees handling cash and other payment modes (e.g. credit cards) should clean or sanitise their hands before handling food and food packaging.

    7. Food lines served by employees17

      1. F&B establishments must cover food at the food lines with shields or other forms of barriers to minimise exposure and mitigate food contamination risk.

      2. Employees must pick the food for customers, and ensure that customers do not have contact with the food line.

      3. Employees must not handle food with bare hands. They must use a clean fork, tongs, scoop or other suitable utensil18.

      4. Employees must ensure that individuals queuing for food have their masks on at all times and maintain a safe distance of one-metre between individuals.

      5. These would be on top of the existing additional SMMs that are mandated at work-related events and MICE events. For instance, each food line must not be used to serve participants from different zones at the same time. Separate food lines must be set up for each zone, where practicable. Please refer to the Safe Business Events Framework for details. Note that food and drinks are currently not allowed at work-related events (refer to Annex B [PDF, 59KB] (opens in new tab)). 

    8. Ventilation and improving indoor air quality

      1. F&B establishments are strongly encouraged to improve ventilation and improve indoor air quality in all premises.

      2. For premises with centrally controlled air-conditioning (e.g. in malls), F&B establishments should work with premise owners to ensure that ventilation systems are in good working order, minimise indoor air re-circulation, maximise fresh air intake and purge indoor air daily.

      3. For all other enclosed air-conditioned spaces, F&B establishments should open operable doors and windows and keep exhaust fans (e.g. in kitchens and toilets) at full capacity to enhance air flow. Window-mounted exhaust fans should be installed where possible and portable air cleaners equipped with high-efficiency air filters such as HEPA filters may be considered as an interim measure if the windows are not operable. As a longer-term measure, establishments should also consider installing dedicated outdoor air supply such as ducted air conditioning or window mounted exhaust fans.

      4. For naturally ventilated spaces (e.g. coffeeshops), F&B establishments should enhance ventilation with fans and similarly keep the space as open as possible.

      5. F&B establishments may wish to refer to the Guidance Note on improving ventilation and indoor air quality in buildings issued by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), National Environment Agency (NEA) and Ministry of Health (MOH)19.

  2. F&B establishments should put up clear signages to remind customers to comply with safe distancing requirements where applicable, and train and deploy service personnel to provide clear communication to customers on SMMs.

  3. F&B establishments should allow customers to use their own clean and reusable containers when ordering takeaways. This will help to reduce the amount of waste generated and ease the demand for disposable food containers.

  4. Refer to Annex D [PDF, 68KB] (opens in new tab)for other recommended guidelines.

Safe Management Measures – Workplace Premises20/Back of House/Kitchen

  1. To ensure COVID-safe workplaces, F&B establishments should adhere to measures as outlined in MOM’s Requirements for Safe Management Measures at the Workplace (opens in new tab), and take care of their workers, workplaces and those who may become unwell at their workplaces.

  2. Employers must ensure no cross-deployment across worksites21, i.e. no employee should work at more than one worksite.

    1. If cross-deployment cannot be avoided (e.g. due to the nature of the job), additional safeguards must be taken to minimise the risk of cross infection22.

    2. For venues that have been visited by positive COVID-19 cases and asked to close by MOH, employees should not be redeployed to other worksites at all for the period of closure. If instructed to go for swabs, employers must ensure that their employees from these venues visit the designated Regional Screening Centre, “Swab and Send Home” (SASH) Public Health Preparedness Clinics or mobile swab sites for the COVID-19 test offered by MOH. These employees should stay at home and minimise social interactions during the period of closure even if their swab results are negative. They should also monitor their health closely, and visit a doctor immediately if unwell.

Enforcement of measures

  1. Government agencies will be stepping up enforcement on F&B establishments and will take firm action against any breaches, including failure to maintain the one-metre safe distancing between groups and to prevent intermingling of groups, allowing group sizes larger than 2 persons, serving and allowing the consumption of alcohol after 2230hrs, and providing entertainment and games.

  2. Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, first-time offenders will face a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Subsequent offences may face a fine of up to S$20,000, imprisonment of up to twelve months, or both.

  3. Businesses that do not implement or comply with the government’s requirements on SMMs may also be ineligible for government grants, loans, tax rebates and other assistance, and may also be subject to temporary closures.

  4. Annex A [PDF, 636KB] (opens in new tab): Infographic on SMMs for F&B Establishments
    Annex B [PDF, 59KB] (opens in new tab): SMMs for work-related events
    Annex C [PDF, 13KB] (opens in new tab): Details of SafeEntry check-in
    Annex D [PDF, 68KB] (opens in new tab): Other recommended guidelines for customer-facing operations 

Thank You.

ENTERPRISE SINGAPORE
HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT BOARD
SINGAPORE FOOD AGENCY
SINGAPORE TOURISM BOARD
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Updated as of 23 June 2021

1 This includes consumption by all individuals (such as customers, staff and vendors) within the F&B establishment.

2 The furniture should be kept/secured after close of business in such manner to prevent use.

3 Refer to Annex B for the SMMs on work-related events. Refer to the requirements at the GoBusiness portal (opens in new tab) for the SMMs on Marriage Solemnisations and Wedding Receptions.

4 The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) will be sending out notices to relevant F&B licensees required to conduct FET for their employees.

5 F&B establishments may use the bar counters to seat and serve meals to dine-in customers, but must ensure there is at least one-metre spacing between groups of customers.

6 Exceptions can only be made if all members of the group are from the same household, i.e. have the same place of residence (families living in different places of residence are not from the same household). However, they will need to be seated at multiple tables, with no more than 2 persons per table, and with at least one-metre spacing maintained between these groups. Establishments are required to verify customers’ claims that they are from the same household, and can reject entry of customers at their discretion.

7 This also applies to catering companies, where they are not allowed to provide self-service buffet lines. Catering companies should also reference SMMs for MICE, Marriage Solemnisations and Wedding Receptions and work-related events where applicable. Wedding receptions are currently prohibited.

8 Except for advisory videos related to safe management measures. Static images and a carousel of static images on a digital screen (e.g. of menus and promotional items) without sound are not considered to be TV/video screenings.

9 The list of gaming instruments is as stated in the Common Gaming House (Instruments and Appliances for Gaming) Rules.

10 These play areas refer to the facilities provided free-of-charge in the establishments.

11 However, all F&B establishments must require their employees and vendors to do SafeEntry check-in via TraceTogether-only SafeEntry.

12 The SEGW enables contactless detection of both the TraceTogether App and Token, and serves as an additional means of SafeEntry check-in that is quicker and more seamless. It also allows users to check if their Token has run out of battery or is not working.

13 Refer to go.gov.sg/gateway-overview (opens in new tab) for how to implement the SEGW and apply for a free SEGW Box.

14 Individuals with temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius are considered to be having a fever. F&B establishments with seated diners in malls need not conduct temperature screening and checks on visible symptoms for customers if the mall is already doing so. They should however do so, if they operate outside the mall hours.

15 Notable visible symptoms to look out for include: (a) coughing; (b) sneezing; (c) breathlessness; and (d) a runny nose.

16 F&B establishments are allowed to place condiments and cutleries at their stall counters, as long as these are within sight of and managed directly by the employees.

17 Food lines are not permitted at weddings and funerals. For funerals, F&B should not be consumed, with the exception of individually packed drinks and titbits, and individual bento boxes for family members of the deceased who keep vigil for the duration of the funeral wake. There should strictly be no sharing of drinks/ titbits at funerals.

18 If the use of suitable utensils is not feasible, staff must wear clean gloves to handle the food. Appropriate hand hygiene practices must be observed; for more information on hand hygiene in food handling, please refer to https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-safety-tips/food-risk-concerns/risk-at-a-glance/hand-hygiene-in-food-handling (opens in new tab)

19 This Guidance Note provides building owners and facilities managers with updated recommended measures to enhance ventilation and air quality in indoor spaces. Refer to BCA’s website (opens in new tab) for the note.

20 Refers to the F&B establishments’ back-of-house operations involving employees, including at offices, warehouses and manufacturing facilities.

21 This will not apply to industries /companies that need to do so due to the nature of their work. Such companies will be required to demonstrate that cross-deployment or interaction between employees is critical for business operations, when requested by MOM or their sector agencies.

22 E.g. systems are in place to ensure no direct contact between the cross-deployed personnel.