Don’t be surprised if more people are planning to bake this weekend, now that cakes are becoming a scarcity after the latest circuit breaker measures. If you’re stocking up on ingredients for your own bakes from Phoon Huat or Redman stores, you’ll have to plan your trip according to its new shopping restrictions.

The baking supplies chain, highly popular for its large variety of baking supplies and ingredients, announced yesterday (Apr 23) several new shopping restrictions.

From Apr 25, entry to stores will be restricted according to the last digit of NRIC or FIN numbers of shoppers. That is, if the last digit on your identification card is an odd number, you’ll only be allowed entry on dates with odd numbers, and vice versa for even numbers.

This is similar to entry restrictions that are already in place at several wet markets under the enhanced circuit breaker measures that came into effect on Apr 22.

In addition, shoppers at Phoon Huat and Redman outlets will also be allowed only 10 minutes to shop.

On top of that, no cash and no change will be available; only contactless payment methods are available. Anyone who insists on paying cash will be given change in the form of plastic bags — small, medium and large plastic bags are worth 10 cents each, and XL bags are worth 20 cents. All sales of plastic bags will go towards charity.

These are just some of the shopping restrictions that will be in place at the chain’s 14 shops across Singapore, which have seen longer-than-usual queues during the circuit breaker.

Other crowd control and safe distancing measures taken at Phoon Huat stores include temperature taking and filling up of online health declaration forms. Patrons must also adhere to the 1m safe distancing rule in stores, wear a mask at all times, and are encouraged to shop alone. Too much hassle? Order those baking supplies at its online store instead at www.redmanshop.com.

Photos: Unsplash