COVID-19: 1-year work ban for food delivery personnel who flout safe distancing measures
SINGAPORE — Food delivery personnel who flout safe distancing measures during the current circuit breaker period will face a one-year work suspension from all three major platforms – GrabFood, Foodpanda and Deliveroo.
Furthermore, food and beverages (F&B) establishments found allowing delivery personnel or customers to cluster together at their outlets can also be fined or ordered to suspend operations.
In a joint media release on Wednesday (15 April), Enterprise Singapore (ESG), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Singapore Food Agency said that the stiffer penalties will be in addition to existing penalties on safe distancing regulations meted out by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The three food-delivery platforms will also work with their delivery personnel to ensure they are aware and adhere to the key safe-distancing measures. These include:
Observing strict 1m safe distancing from others at all times, at F&B establishments or even when away from the premises. Delivery personnel must not cluster together.
Wearing of masks at all times during their work.
Mandating contactless delivery such as dropping off deliveries at doorsteps or lobbies, where possible.
Keeping hands clean by regularly washing them with soap and water or using hand sanitisers.
Frequent cleaning of food carriers and warmers used for food delivery.
Measures which delivery businesses must comply with
According to ESG and LTA, all food and online retail delivery businesses must also comply with the following:
Carry out daily temperature screening and health declaration among employees, including delivery personnel before they start work. Those who are unwell cannot work and must go to the doctor.
Ensure adoption of cleanliness and hygiene practices and compliance with Ministry of Health advisories.
Equip delivery personnel with hand sanitisers. Personnel must be reminded to wash their hands with soap and water regularly. In the event that they are unable to do so in between deliveries, they should keep their hands clean by using the hand sanitisers.
Delivery personnel must frequently clean carriers such as food carriers, food bags and food warmers for food delivery, and other forms of carriers and boxes for retail delivery. The frequency of cleaning and disinfection should be commensurate with increased usage.
Delivery personnel should not place their personal items – such as water bottles – in the same box, carrier or insulated container used to hold food ordered by customers.
Deliveroo said in a media statement on Thursday that it will fully comply with the health and safety measures.
“Deliveroo has a zero tolerance approach towards riders who flout the safe distancing recommendations as part of Singapore’s ‘circuit breaker’ measures,” a spokesperson of the company said.
“While the majority of riders have been respecting these guidelines, we take this matter extremely seriously and will immediately stop working with any rider who has been fined by the government for flouting safe distancing measures.”
Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act passed in Parliament on 7 April, first-time offenders will face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or a jail term of up to six months. Subsequent offences may face a fine of up to $20,000 and/or a jail term of up to a year.
Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
Related stories:
COVID-19: Singapore confirms record 447 more cases and 4 new clusters, total at 3,699
COVID-19: Details of further exemptions from wearing masks released
COVID-19: 30 firms being investigated for safe distancing violations involving lorries
About 700 reports of safe-distancing infringements made per day via OneService app: Grace Fu
