4 F&B outlets broke Covid-19 laws, 1 ordered to close for third offence; 9 people fined for unsafe gathering

SINGAPORE — Four food-and-beverage (F&B) businesses and nine people have been penalised by the authorities for breaking regulations and failing to ensure the safety and health of patrons.

Of the four businesses, two have been ordered to close. One is a restaurant in Pasir Panjang that continued to ignore the law and was caught a third time.

The closure orders for the two businesses will take effect when dining-in is allowed to resume nationwide.

In a media release on Wednesday (May 19), the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said that government agencies here have continued with stepped-up enforcement checks on F&B businesses and other public spaces in the lead-up to the tightening of restrictions on movements and activities during the Phase Two (heightened alert) period from May 16 to June 13.

REPEAT OFFENDERS

HooHa Restaurant and Cafe located at 3 South Buona Vista Road

The restaurant had allowed customers to drink alcohol after 10.30pm on May 14 and provided card games and music entertainment. This was its third offence. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has ordered the restaurant to close for 30 days when dining-in resumes.

Darts Legend at 29 Media Circle, Alice@Mediapolis

The gaming outlet had allowed patrons to play on a dart machine on May 14. This was its second offence. It was ordered to close for 20 days when dining-in resumes.

NGEE ANN CITY TENANTS

The two other F&B outlets that were penalised are both located at Ngee Ann City mall on Orchard Road — the Food Village and The Sushi Bar Dining. They were fined S$1,000 each for failing to maintain safe distancing between customers, among other violations.

PARK- AND BEACH-GOERS

Nine people were fined for gathering in groups of more than two on May 16 in parks and beaches that are managed by the National Parks Board (NParks).

MSE did not state the amount of fines levied on the individuals.

The ministry reminded the public that in line with the tightened rules, all water-play areas and water recreational facilities in NParks-managed parks and gardens will continue to be closed until June 13.

“NParks will temporarily close access to some parks and sections of beaches, lawns and facilities such as shelters and car parks, when these areas get too crowded, to ensure that safe distancing can be observed. These areas will be reopened when they are less crowded,” it said.

The public may check the Safe Distance@Parks online site for visitorship figures before going for their recreational activities.

“We must continue to be vigilant to keep Singapore safe. We seek everyone’s cooperation to remain socially responsible and unwavering in our fight against Covid-19,” MSE said.