Protocols and Training for Safe Distancing Ambassadors to Enforce Safe Distancing Measures at Coffeeshops and Hawker Centres in HDB Heartlands after Office Hours
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Yip Hon Weng's inquiry regarding enforcement protocols at heartland coffeeshops and hawker centres after office hours and how safe distancing ambassadors are trained to manage rowdy patrons. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that approximately 3,000 personnel are deployed daily in shifts, with increased numbers during peak dining hours and weekends. Ambassadors are trained on rules of engagement, work in pairs, and are instructed to seek police assistance rather than putting themselves in harm's way when dealing with abusive individuals. Recent enforcement actions include suspending stalls for alcohol consumption after 10.30pm and fining establishments for safe distancing and group size violations. The Minister concluded that community cooperation remains vital alongside enforcement to control the spread of COVID-19.
Transcript
30 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what are the protocols for enforcement of safe distancing measures at coffeeshops and hawker centres in HDB heartlands after office hours; and (b) how are safe distancing ambassadors trained to handle drunk and rowdy patrons.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Compliance with Safe Management Measures (SMMs) and Safe Distancing Measures (SDMs) is an important part of Singapore's national effort to curb the transmission of COVID-19.
Every day, around 3,000 Safe Distancing Ambassadors and Enforcement Officers from government agencies are deployed to enforce these measures, with more being deployed during peak dining hours and weekends, and in more crowded hawker centres and coffeeshops. They take on different shifts, starting as early as 6am for certain areas.
In recent weeks, agencies have stepped up enforcement at Food and Beverage establishments, including hawker centres and coffeeshops. As at 1 October 2020, three drinks stalls at coffeeshops have been temporarily suspended for serving and allowing the consumption of alcohol by their patrons after 10.30pm. Two coffeeshops were fined for not adhering to one metre safe distancing between tables, and another was fined for allowing gatherings in groups of more than five.
Before they are deployed, our ambassadors and officers are trained on the safe distancing and management measures, as well as the rules of engagement with premise operators and members of the public. They are deployed in teams of at least two officers and the more experienced staff will be partnered with new officers to guide and support them. They are reminded not to put themselves in harm’s way, and to engage the assistance of the Police when needed. While most residents in the community have been cooperative, a small number of individuals have been defiant and abusive, especially when they are drunk and rowdy. For such cases, agencies were given the full support of the Police in identifying, apprehending and eventually charging the culprits.
Enforcement is only but a part of how we manage the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of keeping our community safe. What is equally, if not more important, is the cooperation from premise operators and the community to do their part in observing the safe distancing and management measures, even when there are no ambassadors and officers around, so that we continue to keep community transmission under control.