Families head to restaurants on first day of relaxed curbs

Many were put off by not being able to share food or care for kids across tables in the past

- Adeline Tan and Shermaine Ang

Some families took the opportunity to eat together in restaurants as the new dine-in rule for households kicked in yesterday.

But one restaurant also had to turn away groups that did not meet the new criterion.

From yesterday, up to five fully vaccinated people from the same household are allowed to dine at the same table at food and beverage (F&B) establishments.

Before the rule was eased, not being able to share food or take care of younger children across split tables had made dining out difficult, families said.

Hawker centers and coffee shops are not part of this easing for now, as they are unable to check diners’ details, but the authorities are prepared to include them once additional control measures are put in place.

The maximum group size for dining for those not from the same household remains at two.