Restaurants Prepare for Household Checks Amid Gradual Recovery
Restaurants in Singapore are anticipating better business prospects as dining-in restrictions ease for households. Starting Wednesday (10 Nov), fully vaccinated individuals from the same household can dine out in groups of up to five, an increase from the previous limit of two.
While hawker centres and coffee shops are excluded due to the difficulty of conducting thorough checks, restaurants are implementing measures to comply with the new rules.
Nando’s Singapore, which previously experienced a “significant increase” in business under similar conditions, expects higher demand for family gatherings during the year-end period, shared General Manager Moji Neshat. Similarly, Terry Lim, co-founder of Old Hen Coffee, foresees improved business, especially at their larger, family-oriented outlet. Steamboat restaurant LongQing anticipates a 20 per cent rise in reservations, although owner James Chiew notes that friends, rather than families, traditionally dominate their customer base.
Challenges in Verifying Household Status
Despite the optimism, verifying customers’ household status presents challenges. Restaurants plan to check identification cards or Singpass accounts for proof of address, but issues arise with children and non-residents.
“For children, we rely on trust,” said Mr Neshat, highlighting the impracticality of expecting parents to carry documents like birth certificates. Mr Chiew added that asking such questions can feel intrusive, while Joanne Giam, co-founder of Steep café, noted that verification difficulties might result in defaulting to the two-person limit in uncertain cases.
The Government has pledged a “practical approach” to these rules, with task force co-chair Lawrence Wong emphasising that family groups with children are likely to be from the same household. However, Mr Neshat urged authorities to provide clearer enforcement guidelines to standardise practices across the F&B sector.
Uncertainty in Business Impact
While the relaxed measures are welcome, not all operators expect a dramatic increase in revenue. Ms Giam expressed caution, noting that some families might still opt for home dining due to concerns over rising COVID-19 cases. Added verification checks could also deter some diners.
Nevertheless, restaurants are committed to strictly enforcing the rules to avoid penalties or shutdowns. “After surviving two years of COVID-19, we cannot afford to take risks,” said Mr Chiew.
This gradual relaxation of measures offers a glimmer of hope for Singapore’s F&B industry, as businesses navigate the balance between safety and recovery.
