Finance

More Eateries May Close Down If Dine-Ins Aren’t Allowed After ‘Circuit Breaker’ Ends: Chope Survey

Singapore Eateries Face Close Down Risks If Dine-Ins Still Not Allowed In Coming Months

Many of eateries in Singapore have suffered massive losses this ‘Circuit Breaker’, as dining-in was banned since early April.

Though many of them have signed up for delivery services, it seems like they’re still not making enough to cover their losses.

According to a survey by Chope, more eateries here risk closure if their operations continue like this for the next few months.

Most eateries fear having to close down with drop in revenue

Chope’s survey was based on over 150 responses after a month without dine-ins after ‘Circuit Breaker’ was implemented on 7 Apr.

They found that 62% of restaurants had experienced a drop in revenue of 50% or greater in Apr 2020 – compared to Apr 2019 – while operating only with takeaways and delivery services.

Image taken when dine-ins were still permitted

These restaurants are already working with reduced operating costs, as 11% of them have retrenched full-time staff, and 25% considering to if the situation doesn’t improve soon.

42% of eateries risk closure in 2 months

At the rate they’re going at now, 42% of the eateries surveyed fear that they risk closing in the next 2 months.

81% said they wouldn’t be able to survive past 6 months without dine-ins to add to their revenue.

 

Image taken when dine-ins were still permitted

88% of restaurants shared that takeaways and deliveries only accounted for around 10% of their revenue previously.

The high operating costs and logistical fees have been eating into these eateries’ revenue, and is said to be their greatest burden.

Rental rebates not yet received by many

Though a rental tax rebate policy was announced during the Resilience Budget, but by May 2020, only 57% of restaurants surveyed had received the rebates, or heard news of receiving them soon.

Apparently, 12.7% of the eateries had neither received rebates, nor heard confirmation from their landlords that they would receive it.

The average rating restaurants gave the government’s support to their situation was a 5.9 out of 10, with most awarding them 5 or 6 points out of 10.

Dining-in may not resume so soon

Unfortunately, it looks like more may share that grim future, as dining in won’t be allowed for at least 4 weeks after 1 Jun, according to Phase 1 of reopening the economy.

Reinstating dine-ins will be a big move for Singapore, and we can’t be certain exactly when in Phase 2 it’ll be rolled out.

That said, the survey pointed out that eateries in similar metropolitan cities like Hong Kong experienced a jump in dine-in demand once social distancing measures relaxed.

Support your favourite eateries if you can

Now that the ‘Circuit Breaker’ is finally coming to a close, we can start looking forward to the day we’re able to eat out with friends again safely.

Finances are tight for many now, but if you can, you could help your favourite food haunts by ordering food directly from them once in a while.

It looks like they need all the support they can get now, especially if we want to visit them in the future.

Featured image by MS News. 

Lucia Ng

Lucia only ever eats noodles and lives off bubble tea and coffee. She has no chill, ever, and loves sitcoms a little too much.

Recent Posts

Satay bee hoon & lor mee named as local foods most disliked by S’poreans on Reddit

Fishball noodle soup was a close third.

10 Apr 2025, 2:46 am

Lion dance performer seen cursing during argument in Punggol, troupe says he reacted in self-defence

The incident started when a couple created a disturbance and tried to provoke its members,…

10 Apr 2025, 2:03 am

Kent Ridge Park & National Gallery among places in S’pore that are peaceful & quiet, say Redditors

Other spots include Kranji War Memorial, Japanese Cemetery Park and Asia Square Tower.

10 Apr 2025, 1:14 am

Property business owner drives car into Seletar Country Club pool twice in 8 minutes after drinking 2 shots of whiskey

He has other previous traffic offences including speeding and beating the red light.

9 Apr 2025, 6:55 pm

Man in Thailand ties dog to motorcycle & drags it along road, causes severe wounds on canine

When confronted, the motorcyclist became irate and challenged people to report him to the police.

9 Apr 2025, 6:15 pm

Man in S’pore drains S$280k from grandmother’s life savings after she trusts him with her bank accounts

The 77-year-old woman relied on her grandson due to memory issues and limited English proficiency.

9 Apr 2025, 6:15 pm