Created by The Chope Group for F&B establishments operating in Singapore under Phase 3 (Heightened Alert), this playbook includes actionable information and checklists to assist owners, managers, chefs, marketers, and staff on management, operations, and marketing and communications. This update of the Restaurant Reopening Playbook (published in June 2020) also includes guidelines from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment dated 18 June 2021.
When dine-in resumes under Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) on 21 June 2021, we recommend turning the tap on slowly. As restaurants and bars are considered to be high-risk settings, dine-in suspension has been one of the tools authorities utilise to curb COVID-19 waves.
Key updates in our playbook:
1. Check-in via TraceTogether is now mandatory
- Since 17 May, SafeEntry check-ins have been replaced with TraceTogether check-ins.
- Click here for more information about implementing TraceTogether at your restaurant.
2. Dine-in groups are now capped at five persons
- Households with more than 2 persons can book more than one table until 11 July 2021.
- Dine-in groups of 5 may be allowed from 12 July 2021.
3. COVID-19 vaccination and rapid testing are now encouraged for restaurant staff
- As announced by Ministry of Health previously, mandatory fast and easy testing (FET) will be implemented for restaurant staff from July.
4. Restaurants are not allowed to play recorded music
- To prevent the risk of transmission from customers talking loudly, MOH has regulated that recorded music cannot be played.
Reopening your restaurant after a dine-in suspension is unfortunately becoming a routine that you and your team need to start getting used to. Even though vaccines are now available, authorities are cautious of unknown clusters and unlinked community cases. We should also be prepared that, a year on, dine-in may not rebound as swiftly as before — as we have observed in other markets such as Bangkok and Hong Kong.
As such, restaurants that arm themselves with a contingency plan will be better equipped should dine-in restrictions be imposed.
Key pointers:
1. Agility is crucial: As restaurants move in and out of full and partial lockdowns, maintain flexibility in operations. Don’t over-commit to supply, and be prepared to mobilise alternative revenue streams such as delivery and takeaway.
2. Continue to digitise: As COVID-19 has accelerated the digitisation of consumer behaviour with online orders, contactless payment and QR-code scans, equip yourself with the right solutions for your business.
3. Leverage networks: Rely on third party partners such as restaurant technology support, brand advocates, and your owned social channels to remain relevant and responsive.
Click the link below to download the complete COVID-19 Restaurant Reopening Playbook for Phase 3.
Download COVID-19 Restaurant Reopening Playbook (Phase 3)
Chope is Asia’s premier dining platform on a mission to connect restaurants and diners through discovery, reservations, and deals. Having seated close to 24 million diners in 2019 alone, Chope understands what gets people excited about dining out, and how best to maximise business for our 5,000 restaurant partners.
