“A coffee shop without uncles drinking beer at 10am in the morning is sight no one should have to witness” – Aristotle.
If you went outside to have a look at your neighbourhood coffee shop, I’d advise you to go back home because looking at coffee shops is not an essential reason to leave your home.
Still, you’d have noticed that these eateries are devoid of patrons, except riders collecting deliveries and those who are ordering a takeaway.
As part of the tightening of COVID-19 restrictions, dining-in at F&B establishments is not permitted.
So you’ll have to eat your Bak Kut Teh at home or at your workplace.
If you can’t have your meal at these places for any particular reason, however, you may be granted more leeway with this rule.
You Can Eat in Parks & Other Public Places if You Can’t Return Home or Eat at Your Workplace
While dining-in at eateries is prohibited, consuming food and drinks at other public places, including parks, is not.
According to the Ministry of Heath (MOH), residents are allowed to eat at these public places, but it should only be in instances when it would be inconvenient to return home or have your meal at your workplace.
“In such instances, members of public should avoid crowded spaces and minimise social interactions, including maintaining safe distancing at all times,” MOH said.
So, if for whatever reason you can’t return home or eat at your workplace, you can have your meal outdoors. Just don’t make this an excuse to invite 10 friends for a secret lunch, because that’s illegal.
New Measures Introduced to Combat Rising Community Infections
In case you’re wondering why the gahmen is tightening restrictions, well, it’s because community infections are rising at a concerning rate.
The number of community infections has skyrocketed to 131 in the past week from 39 in the week before.
And the number of unlinked cases in the community has also shot up from six in the week before to 32 in the past week.
The 38 community cases reported yesterday is the highest number of community cases reported since 14 Apr last year, when 40 infections in the community were reported.
So, what else can’t we do during Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)?
For one, social gatherings will be limited to two people. The cap of distinct visitors per household per day will also be reduced to two.
Working from home will be the default working arrangement and F&B establishments will only allow takeaway or delivery.
Strenuous exercise indoors, be it in a group or individual, will not be permitted either.
Tap here for more information on the new measures.
Featured Image: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com (Image for illustration purpose only)