Govt suspends, fines 11 eateries for flouting Covid-19 rules; Banana Leaf Apolo to be charged in court

• Six eateries were ordered shut and five others fined 
• One F&B operator will be charged in court next week with multiple breaches
• A total of 102 people were fined for flouting rules at eateries, parks and beaches 

SINGAPORE — With the authorities toughening their inspection regime to rein in Covid-19 breaches in the run-up to Chinese New Year, six food-and-beverage (F&B) outlets have been ordered to close temporarily, while five others were fined. 

Another eatery, Indian restaurant Banana Leaf Apolo on Serangoon Road, will be charged in court with multiple violations. 

Separately, 102 people were fined for breaking Covid-19 rules — 29 people at eateries and 73 at parks and beaches, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 10).

EATERY TO BE CHARGED

MSE said that Banana Leaf Apolo will be charged in court next Monday with multiple breaches of Covid-19 rules. 

This comes after the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) filed a magistrate’s complaint on Jan 20 against the restaurant over the violations.

A magistrate’s complaint is filed by parties wishing to seek redress for an offence. 

The restaurant’s infringements included failing to ensure that gatherings on the premises did not exceed the maximum group size of eight people, failing to ensure a safe distance of at least 1m between seated patrons, providing a self-service buffet and allowing patrons to make speeches and play a video recording.

F&B PLACES ORDERED SHUT

The six eateries ordered to shut temporarily are: 

• Ding Garden restaurant on New Bridge Road

The hotpot and barbecue eatery was found to have accepted a booking from 13 diners of different households last Friday, seating them across three tables. Multiple table bookings at F&B premises are banned for groups of more than eight.

The outlet was asked to shut temporarily for 10 days from Feb 6 to Feb 15. The 13 diners were also fined S$300 each.

• Zam Zam Singapore on North Bridge Road

Last Friday, the Indian-Muslim restaurant sat different groups of diners less than 1m apart. 

The outlet committed two previous offences on May 22 and Dec 19 last year, for which it was fined S$1,000 and S$2,000 respectively.

It was ordered to shut for 10 days, from Feb 9 to Feb 18.

• Ah Yat Seafood Restaurant on Turf Club Road

Last Saturday, the restaurant serving Chinese cuisine allowed a company dinner comprising 65 people, seated across nine tables. 

The authorities ordered the outlet to close for 10 days from Feb 10 to Feb 19. 

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) ordered the outlet to close for 10 days from Feb 10 to Feb 19.

An SLA spokesperson told TODAY that the agency takes a serious view of the breaches and investigations are continuing.

• East Treasure Chinese Restaurant on River Valley Road

The Chinese restaurant was found to have seated a group of 16 across two tables on Jan 29. The gathering was later revealed to be a dinner organised by a company for its employees.

The restaurant was ordered to shut for 10 days from Feb 10 to Feb 19. The company will be fined S$1,000 and the 16 diners will each receive fines of S$300.

• Crystal Jade Jiang Nan restaurant at VivoCity mall 

Last Saturday, the Chinese restaurant accepted a booking for 16 customers from different households and seated them across two tables.

The outlet was ordered to close for 10 days from Feb 10 to Feb 19, and investigations are under way.

• Wangzi Music Restaurant on New Bridge Road

The Chinese restaurant allowed patrons to consume alcohol at 2.30am last Saturday. Under Covid-19 rules, the sale and consumption of alcohol is banned at eateries after 10.30pm.

The restaurant has been directed to close for 20 days from Feb 6 to Feb 25.

OTHER OUTLETS, INDIVIDUALS FINED

Additionally, four other F&B outlets were each fined S$1,000 for breaking the rules. These are Chuan Garden on Pagoda Street, Eating House at Jalan Membina, Kim’s Family Food Korea Restaurant on Telok Ayer Street, and Sichuan Restaurant on Pagoda Street.

Another eatery, Eating House on Upper Cross Street, received a S$2,000 fine for repeat offences of seating groups of diners less than 1m apart.

Over at parks and beaches managed by the National Parks Board, 73 individuals were fined S$300 each for flouting precautions against Covid-19 last Sunday and on Monday.

These breaches included gatherings of more than eight people and intermingling between groups.

At Changi Beach Park alone, 39 people were fined, including 17 who were caught gathering as a group.

CROWDS EASE AT CHINATOWN

MSE noted that there have been heavier crowds at Chinatown in the past few weeks in advance of Chinese New Year. 

To manage the situation, STB, the Chinatown Business Association and Chinatown Festivals Organising Committee tightened precautions last Friday to curb the potential spread of Covid-19. 

These measures included switching off the Chinese New Year street light-up between last Friday and Monday, and deploying more safe-distancing ambassadors and enforcement officers. 

These measures have since reduced crowds by about a fifth, compared with the week before, MSE said.

The lights will also be turned off on Thursday, the eve of Chinese New Year.

STB will continue its work with other agencies to monitor the situation and adjust measures accordingly.

MSE said: “We strongly urge members of the public to plan visits to Chinatown and other potentially crowded areas, such as shopping malls, F&B outlets, markets, supermarkets and parks, during off-peak hours. 

“This will help mitigate the risk of Covid-19 transmission during the festive period and keep us all safe.”