How do hawker centres differ from coffee shops in allowing group dining?

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Hawker Centres Largely Permit Group Dining, While Coffee Shops Lag

Hawker centres, predominantly managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA), have widely adopted measures to permit dining in groups of up to five vaccinated individuals. In contrast, a significantly smaller proportion of coffee shops, which are privately operated, have implemented similar arrangements, citing operational challenges. This disparity means that while most hawker centres are equipped to handle larger dining groups, many coffee shops continue to restrict patrons to pairs.
Widespread Adoption in Hawker Centres

Nearly all 110 hawker centres overseen by the NEA or its appointed operators have established protocols to allow groups of five vaccinated persons to dine together. This near-universal implementation facilitates family and social gatherings within these public food establishments. Exceptions to this rule are limited to specific hawker centres undergoing scheduled maintenance or renovations, such as Dunman Food Centre, which is currently closed for repairs.
Limited Implementation in Coffee Shops

Out of approximately 2,200 coffee shops and canteens licensed by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), only about 112, or roughly 5 per cent, have made provisions for groups of five fully vaccinated patrons to dine together. This limited uptake means that many private food establishments continue to enforce stricter dining limits, often allowing only pairs of diners. This situation stems from various operational hurdles faced by these businesses.
Operational Challenges for Coffee Shops

Several coffee shops have cited difficulties in managing access and verifying vaccination status as primary reasons for not permitting larger dining groups. Specific concerns include insufficient manpower to monitor entry and exit points and to check vaccination credentials, particularly during peak hours. For example, a coffee shop in Fernvale noted the struggle to manage these checks with existing staff, while another at Yishun Avenue 4 estimated substantial daily costs of S$300 to S$400 to hire additional workers for such tasks.
Impact on Business and Patron Experience

The current dining restrictions have impacted some coffee shop businesses, leading to a decrease in foot traffic and an increase in takeaway orders, partly due to workers returning to their home countries because of COVID-19. While some patrons expressed a desire for the convenience of dining in groups of five at coffee shops for family gatherings, others noted that the rule remains restrictive for larger families. Some business owners also believe that families might still opt for more comfortable, air-conditioned restaurants over coffee shops, even if group dining were permitted.

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How do hawker centres differ from coffee shops in allowing group dining?

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