Safety of Diners Eating at Roadside Sections of Food Outlets

Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for National Development whether any action will be taken by the Government to protect the safety of diners eating at the roadside section of food outlets.

Dining areas that are located just outside of food and beverage (F&B) outlets are known as Outdoor Refreshment Areas or ORAs. They may be allowed on a small-scale along the covered walkways of buildings. Such ORAs are separated from roads by open walkways and planting verges, shielding diners from the road traffic. In selected areas, such as along Club Street and Ann Siang Road, F&B outlets can lease spaces on the roads to set up interim ORAs during the road closure hours.

F&B operators who intend to set up ORAs have to seek permission from the Urban Redevelopment Authority. If approved, they must meet regulatory requirements imposed by various Government agencies to ensure public safety and also to minimise disamenities to pedestrians and the neighbourhood community. If the operators flout the rules, the relevant Government agencies will take enforcement action.