15 F&B outlets ordered to shut for breaching safe distancing measures, allowing unvaccinated patrons to dine in

• MSE said safe management measure checks had been conducted on 670 F&B outlets since Sept 1
• Another 510 people had also been checked, the ministry said
• A total of 15 F&B outlets were ordered to close and 18 others were fined
• Another 36 people were fined for flouting the safe distancing rules

SINGAPORE — Fifteen more food-and-beverage (F&B) outlets were ordered to shut and 18 others have been fined, for breaking Covid-19 regulations, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said on Friday (Sept 17).

Another 36 people were fined for not adhering to the rules as well.

The businesses and individuals had either allowed unvaccinated patrons to dine at their eateries, allowed group sizes of more than five to enter their premises, or failed to ensure that groups of customers were seated at least 1m apart from each other, among other breaches.

Separately, two nightlife establishments had their food licences permanently revoked.

One of the outlets, Carlsberg Sports Bar in Waterfront Plaza on Havelock Road, had initially passed inspections and had been allowed to resume operating on Sept 3.

But a follow-up inspection by the authorities found that the bar had allowed hostessing activities and failed to ensure that its closed-circuit television camera was in use at all times.

The other establishment, Club Royal at 7500A Beach Road, was caught operating and allowing patrons to dine-in when they had not yet been allowed to reopen its business.

DID NOT FOLLOW VACCINE RULES

Since Sept 1, MSE said that it has conducted spot checks on more than 670 F&B outlets and 510 people, on whether they have adhered to the rules differentiating vaccinated and unvaccinated people who dine out.

It singled out one F&B operator, Ohms Garden at 672 Chandler Road in Little India, for allowing patrons who were not yet fully vaccinated to have meals on its premises.

The Singapore Tourism Board has issued an order for the business to close for 30 days, from Sept 9 to Oct 8, for breaking the rules.

In a separate incident, MSE said that it caught an unvaccinated person who was trying to enter an eatery on Sentosa Island by using a friend’s mobile phone, which showed a confirmed vaccination status on the TraceTogether mobile application. 

Staff members at the eatery then asked the person and the friend to leave immediately and reported the incident to safe-distancing enforcement officers from the Sentosa Development Corporation.

Investigations are ongoing, MSE said. The eatery was not named.

BREAKING INFECTION CONTROL RULES

Of the F&B operators that have been taken to task for breaking Covid-19 rules, 14 of them were ordered to close for various violations of safety regulations.

For instance, I-Bar & Bistro located on 50 Prinsep Street was caught for allowing customers to play card games within its premises. 

The Urban Redevelopment Authority has ordered the operator to close for 10 days from Sept 15 to 24.

Another outlet, Sanook Kitchen in Eastpoint Mall in Simei, had let in groups of more than five fully vaccinated customers. The limit is five in a group.

Trade agency Enterprise Singapore has ordered the business to shut for 10 days as well from Sept 15 to 24.

Another 18 F&B operators and 36 people were issued composite fines for breaking regulations, including gathering in groups bigger than five, playing music or video recordings on its premises, or failing to ensure that its staff members wore face masks.

MSE said: “We would like to remind both F&B operators and patrons that strict compliance with safe management measures is critical for the safety of everyone.”

The authorities will take strict enforcement action against those who break the rules, it added.

“We urge everyone to exercise socially responsible behaviour to protect their own health and that of others.”