With Chinese New Year around the corner, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is urging Singaporeans to keep themselves healthy and the environment clean.

NEA has stepped up inspections of caterers and restaurants and have advised them to ensure food handlers practise good hygiene, such as using separate chopping boards and knives for cutting raw food. Operators should also check that all food handlers are physically well. Poor hygiene could result in cross contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods.

Anti-littering enforcement will also be strengthened at crowded festive event sites such as River Hongbao 2013 and Chingay Parade 2013. Unlicensed hawkers will be fined up to $4,000 and anyone caught littering will be fined $300.

With an increase in dengue cases in January, residents are also advised to ensure mosquitoes do not breed in vases and plant bowls used for floral decorations. NEA will work with grassroots organisations to step up community dengue prevention and control efforts in potential dengue hotspots.