Food licenses of three nightlife establishments revoked, 18 F&B establishments ordered to close for breaching COVID-19 measures

Three former nightlife establishments that pivoted to F&B operations had their licences revoked for multiple breaches of COVID-19 safe management measures (SMM). 

Two operators — The Charm and Icon 2 (IICON) failed to minimise interaction between staff and customers, and provided hostessing services. The third operator, Frederico’s Paddles Too Pub & Cafeteria, continued to operate during the mandatory two-week suspension period from 16 to 30 Jul. 

The three operators have been told to cease all operations immediately. 

Pivoted nightlife establishments must comply strictly with the ongoing mandatory two-week suspension of operations, the authorities said in a press release. 

The establishments cannot resume operations even after the two-week suspension period, until they pass inspections and receive written approval by the Singapore Food Agency. 

Eighteen F&B premises were also ordered to close for breaches such as multiple failures to ensure patrons across tables were seated at least 1m apart, allowing groups that exceeded the permitted group size and allowing live entertainment such as live singing and dancing. 

These outlets also failed to ensure temperature taking and proper check-ins via TraceTogether.

The outlets that were ordered to close are: 

1. Club Secret at 5 Magazine Road
2. Bollywood Beats at 79 Circular Road
3. Kaayaloram at 77 Boat Quay 
4. The Penny Black at 26 Boat Quay 
5. Shebang at 82 Circular Road
6. Tanjong Hwaro at 67 Tanjong Pagar Road
7. H.O.M at 33 Cuppage Road
8. Ohms Garden at Gholia Village
9. Millionaire Club at Orchard Towers
10. KFC at Far East Plaza 
11. East Ocean Teochew Restaurant at Ngee Ann City
12. Kopitiam at Compass One
13. Kopitiam at Tampines Mall
14. MeiShi MeiKe by Kopitiam at Hougang Mall
15. Cantine at Paya Lebar Square
16. Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles at Jurong Point Shopping Centre
17. Teck Seng Restaurant Pte Ltd at 511 Geylang Road
18. BBQ People Pte Ltd at 513 Geylang Road

Four establishments were fined between $1,000 to $2,000 each for breaching SMMs. These breaches included failure to ensure at least one-metre safe distancing between seated customers.

The outlets that were fined are:

1. Express Tandoor at 70 Boat Quay
2. Cold Play Bar & Bistro at Concorde Hotel and Shopping Mall
3. PCI Global Pte Ltd at Peninsula Plaza
4. Xiang Fei Pte Ltd at Parklane Shopping Mall

Eight individuals were also fined $300 each for gathering in groups larger than the permitted group size while dining at various F&B outlets.

Between Jul 17 and Jul 20, 79 individuals were also fined for breaching SMMs in parks and beaches managed by the National Parks Board. These individuals were not wearing masks when not engaging in strenuous exercises, and gathered in groups larger than the permitted limit.

The Ministry of Sustainability and Environment urges individuals and premises owners to strictly adhere to SMMs as restrictions are being tightened during Phase 2 (Heightened Alert). 

“These restrictions are in place for everyone’s safety and we must work together to help stem transmission of COVID-19 in the community. The Government will continue to review enforcement efforts on F&B outlets to ensure SMMs are strictly adhered to. 

Agencies will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against operators and individuals who flout SMMs,” it said.