4 F&B outlets ordered to close temporarily for breaching COVID-19 measures, 234 individuals fined

Four F&B outlets were ordered to close temporarily for breaching safe management measures (SMMs), the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 24). 

The breaches were uncovered during stepped-up enforcement checks over the Lunar New Year period, MSE said. 

One of the outlets, Club One Min at Concorde Shopping Mall, was ordered to close for 20 days from Feb 20 by authorities after it was found to have allowed gatherings of more than eight individuals. 

It also provided hostesses who intermingled with patrons on Feb 19. 

This is the pub’s second offence. It had been ordered to close for 10 days from Dec 20, 2020 for allowing groups of more than eight individuals to gather. 

“The Government takes a serious view of the violations by the operator and investigations are ongoing,” said MSE. 

Meanwhile, three other F&B establishments allowed diners to consume alcohol after 10.30pm. 

Stall 8 at Food Park Coffeeshop in Bedok South was ordered to close for 10 days from Feb 19, while Jin Jin Eating House in North Bridge Road and 200 HCM Food in Joo Chiat Road were ordered to close for 10 days from Feb 23. 

Additionally, 13 eateries were fined $1,000 each for breaches of SMMs, which involves seating groups of diners less than 1m apart and failing to prevent intermingling. 

They include Shi Li Fang at Orchard Central, Basil Thai Kitchen at Paragon and Donpachi Sake Bar at Cuppage Plaza.

MSE also added that 234 individuals were each fined $300 for breaching SMMs during the past two weekends at parks and beaches in Singapore.

The offences included gathering in groups of more than eight people and intermingling between groups. 76 people were caught at Changi Beach Park, including one group which consisted of 20 people.

In the same statement, MSE thanked F&B premises and individuals in Singapore for adhering to SMMs over the Lunar New Year period. 

It also urged members of the public and operators to remain vigilant as social interactions are likely to increase, especially on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year or chap goh meh on Friday (Feb 26).  

Continued enforcement checks will be stepped up and firm action would be taken against operators and those who flout the rules, MSE added.