Yesterday (1 Sept) marked a turning point in Singapore’s history.
For nearly six decades, diners at coffee shops, hawker centres, and food courts have been able to have their meal and leave behind their bowls and plates for someone else to clear.
It was easy while it lasted, but kind of gross, if you think about it. Now, with deadly virus variants roaming around, this practice simply had to end.
Since yesterday, enforcement action will be taken against diners who do not clear their trays and crockery in public dining places.
And as for those who’ve been complaining about the new rules, the CEO of Temasek Holdings has a message for you.
HO Ching Asks S’poreans to Stop Giving Excuses & Clear Their Tables After Meals
Ho Ching has implored Singaporeans to stop coming up with excuses not to clear up after themselves in public eateries.
Instead, she believes we should follow the rules and set a good example for our young ones.
“Come on, lah, folks!” she said in a Facebook post yesterday (1 Sept).
“Coming up with all sorts of excuses not to clean up after ourselves at hawker centres, food courts and coffee shops?
“Very creative, but better to direct the creativity to finding ways to clean up better, and leave a clean table after we have finished our makan,” she wrote.
She added that it’s especially important to set a good example for our kids, and to care for our elders as well.
Netizens certainly agreed with her, with a few pointing out that some children have better manners than those complaining about the new rules.
What Are the Rules?
So, what constitutes an offence under this law?
According to the National Environmental Agency (NEA), offences include:
- Leaving behind dirty trays and crockery and litter on the tables, such as used tissues and wet wipes, straws, wrappers, canned drinks, plastic bottles, and food remnants such as bones and shells.
- Not picking up wrappers, straws, tissues, or anything that has dropped/blown off the table onto the floor.
Klutzes like me who almost always spill their drinks will be happy to know that accidental spillage of drink or gravy on the table is not an offence.
Reader: What about intentional spillage?
Why the heck would you intentionally spill your drink?
Reader: Hey, what I do on my own time is not your business
Elderly Diners, Children, & Those With Disabilities Will Not Face Enforcement Action
On Tuesday (31 Aug), the NEA addressed a complaint which many netizens had over the new rules – that the elderly and young diners may find it difficult to return their trays and crockery.
Fortunately, no enforcement will be taken against the elderly, children, or those with disabilities, as they might be unable to clear the tables themselves.
“These groups would typically be unable to order and bring food to the tables on their own to begin with, and would probably have someone to accompany them,” NEA said.
“Hence, if you’re dining out with the elderly or children, do help them clear their tables.”
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Featured Image: Facebook (National Environment Agency (NEA); HO Ching)
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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