Most hawker centres and coffeeshops started the practice by using the coloured tape markings on the chair and those diners who intentionally sit on such seats are liable to the new penalties, which can be as harsh as a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both, under the new regulations.
But though this was implemented there was some noise from some family where it would also be impossible for a couple to find two adjacent seats without coloured tape, as one Facebook user highlighted:
So can the couple sit together? Well, the straight answer is yes. Even with the new regulations, related diners can sit at the same table when dining out. If you’re a family, you can even sit at tables where some seats are marked as seats.
This is as according to an Enterprise SG media release, updated on Mar. 26 after the new regulations were published.
However the rule of limited to 10 persons or fewer still apply so the groups of diners have to be less then 10 persons fining together where this rule is in line with MOH’s advice to avoid gatherings of over 10 people, even at private events.
Just in case you’re looking for the full context, here’s the full text of the section on “Table and seating management” from Enterprise SG’s media release:
5. Table and seating management:
a. Tables and seats for different groups of diners must be at least one metre apart. Related diners (e.g. family members, couples) can be seated together.
b. Groups of diners must be limited to 10 persons or fewer. F&B establishments must disperse congregations of more than 10 persons by splitting the group into separate tables and ensuring a distance of at least one metre between tables.
c. F&B establishments with fixed seating must mark out seats which should not be used. They must ensure that unrelated diners are seated at least one meter apart from one another.
So make sure you take note on this and yes, if you’re family, you don’t have to sit on a different table.