There’s Another Problem We’ve Got to Face With People Eating at Void Deck

With Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) in place and dining in strictly prohibited, some people may have to resort to having their meals at void decks. 

However, what happens when some of us forget the neighbourly, considerate spirit of cleaning up after ourselves when we’re done eating?

We’re left with a nasty mess and immense frustration from those who have to clean up said mess. 

There’s Another Problem We’ve Got to Face With People Eating at Void Deck

Local content creator Hafidz Rahman, known as @asonofapeach on Twitter, voiced his concerns on the social media platform over an eyesore he came across at an HDB void deck. 

He posted a photo of a void deck table soiled with spilled curry, along with a half-eaten packet of rice.

You imagine waking up in the morning and you see this. You really can walk away from this ah? Cibai sia. (I threw away the packets of rice, but I don’t have tissues with me to clean this up.) pic.twitter.com/V7WWhWatdi

— Mr. H 🇵🇸 (@asonofapeach) June 7, 2021

The unsightly scene prompted Mr Hafidz to share an account of what he saw through a Twitter thread evidently laced with understandable frustration. 

According to the thread, there were three unfinished packets of rice, an unfinished prata, and an open gravy packet on the void deck table. 

Curry from the unsealed gravy packet was found dripping down the edge of the table. 

According to Mr Hafidz, he proceeded to clear away the packets of rice, but did not have tissue paper with him to clean up the mess of curry. 

Mr Hafidz also raised concerns over the irresponsibility of people who don’t clean up after themselves resulting in an increased workload for cleaners. 

He mentioned that there are fewer cleaners deployed to work these days due to a tightening of safe distancing measures, and not cleaning up after ourselves would lead to heavier workloads for cleaners. 

He urged the public to be more considerate in their use of public places and to exercise a greater sense of responsibility. 

While the problem in void deck might be gone after dine-in is finally allowed (hopefully), the solution in hawker centres is already in place.

You Could Face Fines for Not Clearing Your Tray at Hawker Centres, Coffee Shops and Food Courts 

From 1 Sept 2021 onwards, diners who do not clear their tables could be fined. 

First-time offenders will receive a warning, while second-time offenders will face a fine of $300. 

Repeat offenders could face court fines. 

However, people with disabilities or the more vulnerable elderly who face difficulty in clearing their tables will not be penalised. 

From 1 June to 31 August, there will be a three-month advisory period to help members of the public adjust to this new regulation. 

During this advisory period, there will be no enforcement taken. Instead, safe distancing ambassadors, SG Clean ambassadors, volunteers and NEA officers will remind diners to clear their tables after use. 

In addition, posters and banners will be put in place to serve as visual reminders for members of the public. 

You can read more about it here.

Featured Image: Twitter (@asonofapeach)