Restaurants, malls see brisker business on first day of Phase 2, but some diners still wary of eating out

SINGAPORE — For the first time in more than two months, the streets of Singapore were buzzing again, as queues formed outside shopping centres and eateries on Friday (June 19). 

It was the first day of the second phase of Singapore’s three-stage reopening plan. Most retail and food-and-beverage (F&B) stores were allowed to resume business after the authorities eased stay-home restrictions to allow groups of up to five people to meet. 

But some Singaporeans remained wary of the potential risk of contracting Covid-19, especially in eateries, and plumped for takeouts instead. 

Based on TODAY’s observations at hawker centres, cafes and 10 shopping centres at lunchtime on Friday, most restaurants in the Central Business District and in the heartlands were 20 to 30 per cent full. 

There were queues of people waiting to enter shopping complexes Tampines Mall and Ion Orchard. 

Although some patrons exercised caution at eateries, there was a palpable sense of excitement among most diners, who had missed the experience of eating out, were craving local fare or tired of preparing meals at home.

Student Joanelle Tan, 20, had lunch at Genki Sushi in Tampines Mall with two schoolmates. She told TODAY that among the activities she has had to put on hold, she missed dining out the most.

She arrived early to avoid the crowds, since the restaurant did not accept reservations. 

“I was so excited and felt so happy when I heard the news that we can dine out again,” she said. 

Veterinarian Francis Tay, 46, and his wife were also in Tampines Mall.

At the mall’s food court, they tucked into a meal of yong tau foo (a tofu dish) and chendol (an iced dessert). “It’s nice to be able to go out and do what we used to do,” he said.

Senior manager Anne Lau, 47, and her husband satisfied their bak kut teh (pork-rib soup) craving in White Sands shopping mall in Pasir Ris. 

“I really missed the experience of sitting down together outside and just enjoying a meal,” she said.

Other diners were pleased with the convenience of eating out once again.

Ms Kris Tehilla, 68, who had lunch with a friend at Clementi 448 Market and Food Centre, noted the inconvenience of preparing food at home. 

“Dining in makes it more convenient, as I am able to relax now when I am home,” she said. 

FRIDAY NIGHT CROWDS

As night fell on Friday, the dinner crowds began pouring into Keong Saik Road. 

TODAY saw more than one couple strolling down the popular nightspot hand-in-hand, as groups of friends — no more than five — alighted from taxis and private-hire cars.

Lively conversation filled the air, punctuated by the occasional rattle of cocktail shakers and laughter.

Most of the restaurants were filled to capacity, leaving customers without a reservation disappointed. 

Several restaurant managers TODAY spoke to declined to answer questions as they were busy managing customers.

Diners such as media executive Stephanie Chu were keen to be back the moment they could.

The 26-year-old, who was scouting for a dinner spot with her friends, said they were going "stir-crazy" during the circuit breaker. "It's a bit frustrating that we forgot to make a reservation," said Ms Chu.

Mr Thomas Koh, a manager at the Burnt Ends restaurant, said the eatery has had to turn away walk-in customers.

He said that within five to 10 minutes of the Government’s announcement on Monday that patrons could dine in from Friday, his restaurant was booked out till July.

Still, Mr Koh said safe distancing measures meant that the already-small restaurant — which could previously hold nearly 30 customers — can now have only about 10 patrons along its long dining counter. Outdoor seating is limited.

"Straight away, it has cut off about 50 per cent of our revenue," said Mr Koh. 

Nevertheless, a valet along that stretch of road, Mr Gurdeep Singh, said that he was happy to see people back.

"During the circuit breaker, it was like a cemetery," said the 41-year-old. "It is great that it is finally alive again." 

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SOME DINERS REMAIN CAUTIOUS

Even as other diners relished having a meal away from home, others were more cautious.

Mr Rosly Jamaluddin, 39, and his wife said that they made sure to pick an eatery with the “least people possible”, as they have fears of people removing their masks around them while eating.

“We also decided against bringing our kids out to run some errands with us because they are young and can fall sick easily,” said Mr Rosly, a father of two children aged three and four.

Ms Elaine Lim, 54, said she had no plans to dine in at eateries yet, and she bought a takeaway lunch from Jem shopping mall in Jurong East. 

The 54-year-old, who declined to reveal her occupation, said: “My main concerns are the plates and utensils; we cannot be sure if they are cleaned properly.” 

Teacher Jan Lim, 29, said she and her two friends agreed that they would not meet in a shopping centre for fear of contracting the coronavirus in a crowded space.

They ended up at a cafe on Haji Lane near Bugis, where there was outdoor seating. “We want to meet up again and resume these normal activities, but we can’t help but be extra wary of our surroundings,” said Ms Lim.

“We cannot trust others to be responsible, so we have to do what we can to make sure we follow all the rules ourselves and avoid risky situations.”

SAFE DISTANCING RULES AFFECTING BUSINESSES

Restaurant owners who spoke to TODAY said that they were not surprised that the crowds had not returned in full force.

The 120-seat Shahi Maharani North Indian restaurant at Raffles City Shopping Centre received just five patrons at lunchtime. It had 15 reservations for dinner on Friday. 

Ms Chitra Mirpuri, who owns the eatery, said that she expected the slow footfall because people were still working from home. “In addition, we do buffets for lunch, which is a big draw for our guests, and now that is being shelved.

“I believe initially people will be excited to dine out, but it may die down, especially if we see the number of (Covid-19) cases go up,” she said.

Mr Derek Lee, operations manager at Char-Grill Western restaurant at Northpoint City in Yishun, said the Government’s advisory for seniors to stay home would affect business. The restaurant served two customers at lunchtime.

At New Ubin Seafood, which has three outlets in Victoria Street, Tampines and Zhongshan Park, chief operating officer and co-founder Pang Seng Meng said the future of his restaurant’s “communal dining” concept was uncertain owing to safe distancing directives.

“Limitations on group sizes of up to five and safe distancing measures severely impact our ‘tze char’ business model, which has always been based on communal dining that can stretch up to tables of 10 to 12,” he said.

Ms Christina Keilthy, founder and co-owner of Godmama Peranakan Restaurant at Funan shopping centre on North Bridge Road, said that she was “optimistic but realistic” about the situation. 

“Business will recover to pre-Covid-19 levels, but it will take at least till the end of the year. We need consumer confidence to return, and for a vaccine to be found for this to happen,” she said. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY LORAINE LEE, LATASHA SEOW AND YEO JONG HAN