Singapore, 4 October 2021 – From 1 to 3 October 2021, the National Environment Agency (NEA) with the support of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) conducted enforcement operations at multiple hawker centres for breaches of Safe Management Measures (SMM). NEA took enforcement action against 188 individuals, as part of stepped-up enforcement against SMM breaches.

2          The enforcement against the 188 individuals were for offences such as gathering in groups of more than two, not maintaining a safe distance of one metre, not wearing of masks or having them pulled down, and consuming alcohol past 10.30pm. The hawker centres include Newton Food Centre, Whampoa Food Centre, Haig Road Market and Food Centre, Golden Mile Food Centre, Hong Lim Market and Food Centre, Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre, Tekka Centre (refer to ANNEX for images of enforcement action). Agencies have received feedback on these centres where groups tend to linger and fail to observe SMMs.

3          Since August 2021, close to 500 fines have been issued for breaches of SMMs. We seek the public’s support to work with Safe Distancing Ambassadors and the Enforcement Officers who are tasked with ensuring that SMMs are complied with for everyone’s safety.

Safe Management Measures at Markets and Hawker Centres
4          Strict adherence to SMMs protects everyone. While 98% of stallholders and their assistants at markets and hawker centres are vaccinated, we call on all stakeholders to remain vigilant. Seniors are also urged to take extra precautions and consider patronising their favourite hawker stalls by ordering takeaway instead of dining in, or having household members do so on their behalf where possible. In particular, they should avoid dine-in meals or chats over drinks at hawker centres during this time.

5          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 is also working closely with Hawkers’ Associations and Town Councils to keep our premises safe, and regularly undertake deep cleaning and disinfection of premises.

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ANNEX

Images of Enforcement Action at Hawker Centres

Photo 1: Enforcement for drinking past 10.30pm at Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre

Photo 2: Enforcement for intermingling between groups at Chinatown Complex Market and Food Centre 


Photo 3: Enforcement for sitting in a group of more than two people at Haig Road Market and Food Centre