A Singapore Government Agency Website
Newsletter home Newsletter home
Subscribe
  • Food Supply
  • Food Safety
  • Corporate News
  • Myth-busters
  • Infographics & How-to's
  • Videos
Click to search
Advanced Search
Date Range:
 
Back to Basic Search
Image Food Safety Tools of the Trade Series: Inspectors @ coffee shops & eating houses
Food Safety

Tools of the Trade Series: Inspectors @ coffee shops & eating houses

You may have seen these officers with bright orange lanyards at your neighbourhood coffee shop and wondered what is it that they do. On normal days, they inspect food establishments and enforce public hygiene regulations.
By Singapore Food Agency Published 27 Mar 2020
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Share this on Twitter
  • Share this on E-mail
  • Share this on WhatsApp
  • Print this document

(Originally published on SFA Facebook)

But in today’s unique circumstances where the COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving, they have also taken on an important task of ‘coffee shop’ hopping – going to coffee shops around the island to make sure safe distancing measures are implemented.
 
Introducing Clarence Chan and Samantha Yeo from our East and Southwest Regional Offices respectively. Read on to find out what they do to guide coffee shops to comply with the measures and some of the challenges they face in carrying out their tasks.
 

coffee shop

Small actions, big impact

When Clarence first started out as an inspector four years ago, he didn’t think that his role will have such a big impact on public health and hygiene.

“It’s more than just enforcement. One action we take can save or affect many people.

Take today’s COVID-19 situation. The safe distancing measures at F&B establishments may seem trivial or ‘useless’ to some members of the public but little by little, it adds up and can make a huge difference in our fight against COVID-19.

Everyone can do their part in reducing the spread, even while dining out.”

- Clarence

coffee shop 2

Safeguarding public health 

Armed with a minor in public health from NUS, Samantha feels that her role as an inspector is aligned with her interests and what she studied in university.

“When we go out to conduct inspections, we are safeguarding Singapore’s public health.

In these pressing times, it’s even more important that we soldier on and ensure coffee shops and eating houses comply with the safe distancing measures.”

- Samantha

coffee shop 3

Checking off the list 

SFA inspectors have a checklist to adhere to for coffee shops and eating houses to implement safe distancing measures.

These include clearly marking queueing areas and spacing customers out in the queue at a distance of one metre apart, as well as ensuring a distance of at least one metre between tables.

TOOL#1 – iPad

 “Our iPad has everything we need to conduct our inspections and engagement. Other than referring to our checklist, we also use it to take photos of best practices and show operators how certain things can or should be done.”- Samantha

coffee shop 4

Drilling down

While most coffee shop operators are keen to implement the measures, they may not be as prompt in taking action.

“There are different challenges for different coffee shops. Some are smaller in area and mandating a one-metre distance between tables may not be practical. So we advise them to remove some tables in order to meet the requirement.

Then there are coffee shops with very good businesses where customers ignore the queue demarcation lines or their staff do not have time to remind them to queue behind the markers.

So every day, we visit various coffee shops to reiterate the measures. And for those who have yet to fully comply, we check on their progress daily and help them expedite the process.” - Clarence

90292448_2826240410785801_9044515141789417472_o

Passing on the info

Coffee shops and eating houses are also required to train service staff to provide clear communication on safe distancing measures to customers. They can consider putting up signages to educate and encourage customers to observe safe distancing.

“We print the advisories and explain to coffee shop operators and stallholders why we need to implement these measures. If the service staff don’t understand, it’s likely they will not pass down the information to their customers.”

TOOL#2 – Situational awareness

“To facilitate smoother on-the-ground implementation, it’s important to break down the regulation or policy and make it easy for operators and stall holders to understand and apply them.

Our job is to take time to explain to them, understand their concerns and constraints, and guide them to find solutions.” - Clarence

91287605_2826240507452458_4800213491921190912_o

Take time but hey it's necessary

As these safe distancing measures are new, members of the public naturally need some time to get used to them. They may be inconvenient at first, but these measures are required to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

“Some people may need some nudging to practise social responsibility so things such as demarcation lines are necessary to help guide them.

It’s a matter of getting used to.” - Samantha

90242775_2826241067452402_3271079446622240768_o

So far so good

So far, coffee shop operators have been cooperative. This is even though complying with these measures may affect their businesses.

“The COVID-19 situation is not targeted at just coffee shops. Everyone is facing the same issue.

At the end of the day, we drew up these safe distancing measures for the greater good of the community - to provide a safer dining environment for everyone. We hope everyone can play their part and stay united as a nation!” – Samantha

Tags:

  • SFA officer
  • 'Tools of the Trade' Series
  • COVID-19
Featured on Facebook
  1. Let's shape the future of our food story together Let's shape the future of our food story together 03 Jun 2021
Popular Stories
  1. Food Safety, Corporate News, Food Supply SG50 Special: Singapore's Food Farms - A Story of Then and Now 13 Mar 2015
  2. Food Safety, Food Supply Diversifying Singapore's sources of pork 01 Jan 2017
  3. Food Supply Resilient importers bring in new egg supply from Europe 14 Apr 2020
  4. Food Supply Singapore’s Modern Farms Series: Singapore Aquaculture Technologies 11 Oct 2018
Recommended Stories
Image
Food Supply Tools of the Trade Series: Assistant Director of Properties & Land Management 29 May 2020
Image
Food Supply Tools of the Trade Series: Food Supply Resilience Managers 29 Apr 2020
Popular Stories
  1. Food Safety, Corporate News, Food Supply SG50 Special: Singapore's Food Farms - A Story of Then and Now 13 Mar 2015
  2. Food Safety, Food Supply Diversifying Singapore's sources of pork 01 Jan 2017
  3. Food Supply Resilient importers bring in new egg supply from Europe 14 Apr 2020
  4. Food Supply Singapore’s Modern Farms Series: Singapore Aquaculture Technologies 11 Oct 2018
Featured on Facebook
  1. Let's shape the future of our food story together Let's shape the future of our food story together 03 Jun 2021
{1}
{1}
{1}
  • Food Supply
  • Food Safety
  • Corporate News
  • Myth-busters
  • Infographics & Tips
  • Videos

Food for Thought is a digital publication by

SFA home

SUBSCRIBE

Write to the Editor

© 2023 Singapore Food Agency

  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Rate this Website
  • Attribution

Last updated on Tuesday, April 14, 2020

  • Facebook
Best viewed on the latest Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Safari. Adobe Reader is required for viewing and printing the Portable Document Format (PDF) documents.