Individual responsibility more important than enforcement in tackling Covid-19, say MSE, police in detailing action on nightspots

SINGAPORE — Individual responsibility is more important than enforcement action in preventing the spread of Covid-19, the police and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said on Tuesday (July 20) in outlining action taken against nightlife venues since they were permitted to convert to food-and-beverage (F&B) business last October.

In a joint media release, they said that “enforcement against irresponsible behaviour is but one of the tools to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and we cannot be relying just on it or expect it to be able to fully ensure compliance”.

“There is a limit to what enforcement can achieve. Business operators and patrons must play their part and abide by the (safe management measures) put in place,” the statement added.

"Individual responsibility is more important and the most effective and sustainable means for us to overcome Covid-19."

Various venues including KTV lounges have been linked to a major Covid-19 cluster in recent days, which was one of the factors leading to an announcement on Tuesday of the reimposition of stricter measures under Phase Two (heightened alert) to apply from July 22 to Aug 18.

In the statement, the police and MSE said that since nightlife venues were permitted to make the pivot, more than 400 had done so, and government agencies had conducted daily checks since then to ensure that they are adhering to safe distancing regulations.

From Oct 1 last year to July 10 this year, the police had taken 202 actions against licensed public entertainment venues including those that had converted to F&B business, operating in locations such as industrial estates, office units and shophouses.

In all, 540 checks on such outlets were done in these operations, which resulted in the detection of 58 infringements under the Public Entertainments Act and Liquor Control Act and 595 violations of safe management measures under Covid-19 regulations.

They added that 142 people were arrested for various offences including breaches of the Public Entertainments Act, Liquor Control Act, Employment of Foreign Manpower Act and Immigration Act.

Separately, joint enforcement operations involving various government agencies and the police have also been conducted over 20 weekends and all festive periods since last October.

About 400 F&B outlets, including converted nightlife businesses, were inspected in each operation.

“To date, agencies have imposed around 100 closure orders on F&B outlets, including around 40 pivoted establishments, with around 10 repeat offenders. The operators also face further enforcement action, including fines and prosecution in court,” the statement added.

“Since tightening our penalty regime in May 2021, the Singapore Food Agency has also permanently revoked the licences of three pivoted establishments and, pending investigations, could revoke four more. Breaches by pivoted nightlife establishments account for the vast majority of repeated egregious breaches,” they said.