Gemma Steakhouse suspended for 20 days after hosting Halloween-themed dinner by private members' club for 75 people

SINGAPORE — The authorities have ordered Gemma Steakhouse to close for 20 days for hosting a Halloween-themed dinner, which was attended by about 75 people who had mingled between tables.

The restaurant located at National Gallery Singapore had worked with a private members’ club to hold the dinner on Oct 31, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said in a news release on Friday (Dec 4).

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), which investigated the event for potential breaches of safety regulations, found that although the diners were seated at tables of up to five, surveillance footage showed that they intermingled on several occasions.

The diners, comprising both members of the club and their guests, also did not wear their masks when they were not eating or drinking.

The footage showed that the restaurant employees did not take “reasonable steps to prevent the intermingling on their premises”, MSE said.

Under regulations to curb the spread of Covid-19, social gatherings involving groups of more than five outside an individual’s residence are not allowed.

Food-and-beverage outlets are also prohibited from accepting bookings from groups of more than five people, even if such groups are split across multiple tables. Intermingling between groups is not allowed.

For accepting a large group booking for this dinner, and for “failing to take reasonable steps to prevent multiple instances of intermingling” among the diners in the group, SFA ordered Gemma Steakhouse to close from Dec 3 to 22, both dates inclusive.

“Investigations are continuing in respect of possible breaches by various parties. A serious view is being taken on what has happened,” MSE said.

The ministry urged all members of the public to be socially responsible and observe the safety rules.

“Our collective efforts will determine if we successfully make the transition to Phase Three, as we adapt to a new normal,” it said, referring to the third phase of Singapore reopening its economy after a partial lockdown earlier this year.

National Gallery Singapore said in a statement that the breach occurred within the premises of Gemma Steakhouse, which falls under the management of the F&B operator, Il Lido Pte Ltd.

The Gallery has thus issued a warning letter to Il Lido Group on the breach of regulations, and informed the operator that it will take firmer action should there be further breaches.