Since the announcement of the Vaccinated Differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS), almost all NEA and NEA-approved hawker centres have been prepared to hold the five vaccinated people dine-in limit established by the multi-ministry task force.
A lot of us were elated to hear that since it means more wallet-friendly gatherings or late-night suppers for us who like to go out with our kakis in the dead of the night.
But not all coffeeshops had VDS, so there are still coffeeshops that only allow two to dine in.
However, as of 7 March, current coffee shop operators and canteens will have the option to implement VDS in 1 of 3 different ways to accommodate groups of up to five fully vaccinated persons for dining in at their premises. (Yay for fewer headaches for our FNB workers and more food options for 5 pax dine-in!)
The 3 Ways Provided to Implement VDS for Coffee Shop Operators and Canteens
Option 1 is the Area Bound VDS. Coffee shops and canteens can dedicate and cordon off a specific area that has a SafeEntry entrance and exit point for staff to have access control and conduct vaccination checks for 5 pax dine-in. Beyond the cordoned-off area, only 2 pax dine-in will be allowed where the coffee shop and canteen staff do not have to conduct vaccination status checks.
Option 2 is the Time Bound VDS. This is where a specific time-limit is implemented for 5 pax dine-in at coffee shops and canteens. 5 pax dine-in will only be allowed at the coffee shop and canteen premises between 5.00pm to 10.30pm daily, with the usual SafeEntry entrance and exit point in place to allow staff to have access control and conduct vaccination status checks. Outside of this time period, only 2 pax dine-in will be allowed.
Option 3 is Area and Time Bound VDS. Coffee shops and canteens can adopt both Area and Time Specific VDS for 5 pax dine-in where they cordon off a specific area with the usual SafeEntry entrance and exit point for staff to have access control and vaccination checks, but only during 5.00pm to 10.30pm daily. Beyond the cordoned area and timing, only 2 pax dine-in will be allowed.
So in summary, its either: having an exclusive VIP area for 5 pax dine-in within the coffee shop and canteen regardless of timing, having an exclusive time slot (5.00pm to 10.30pm) set for 5 pax dine-in within the coffee shop and canteen, or both which is setting up an exclusive VIP area for 5 pax dine-in during an exclusive time slot (5.00pm to 10.30pm).
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Reasons behind the 3 VDS Options
The increased flexibility given to implement VDS measures was done to tackle the manpower and operation challenges voiced out by coffee shop operators, said MP Amy Khor in a Facebook post.
The above-mentioned solutions were the result of “rounds of active consultation with operators and associations to explore solutions to resolve manpower and operational issues to conduct vaccination status checks.”
Interested operators however must first submit a proposal for Singapore food Agency (SFA)’s approval to ensure that adequate measures have been put in place to safeguard public health. Upon approval, operators must display relevant signages and posters to inform diners clearly which VDS measure option has been put in place in their premises.
SFA will continue to conduct checks to ensure that the VDS requirements provided for all three options are strictly adhered to.
So, this means more coffeeshops might allow five to dine in…or some VDS coffeeshops might “downgrade” to time-bound or area-bound.
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