2 F&B Operators to be Charged in Court for COVID-19 Breaches; 1 Had Continued to Open Even When Ordered to Close

Times are hard.

And it appears that as a coping mechanism, businesses are getting more and more ‘unscrupulous’ in their ways.

Two food and beverage (F&B) operators have been charged for flouting pandemic measures on their premises…

And apparently, one of the operators had actually been ordered to close beforehand.

2 F&B Operators to be Charged in Court for COVID-19 Breaches; 1 Had Continued to Open Even When Ordered to Close

Mark Enterprise and Kim’s Place Seafood Restaurant have been charged for pandemic-related offences.

They will be taken to court on 2 February. Invincible (BBCM), which was charged last month, will be present as well.

A third company, Singapore Straits Wine Company (not an F&B operator), was also charged for hosting a staff gathering of 26 people at Kim’s Place Seafood Restaurant on 7 September.

All 26 individuals have since been fined $300 each.

Apparently, Mark Enterprise, which runs Try Again at 17 Circular Road, had continued business operations on 18 July despite receiving a previous order to close down.

According to the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), the order was initially issued for alleged infringement of numerous safe management measures. It was supposed to take place from 18 July to 27 July.

As Among Us has taught us, nobody knows you’re the imposter until you get caught.

Meanwhile, Kim’s Place Seafood Restaurant, which is situated at 45 Joo Chiat Place, had permitted gatherings of more than five individuals – staggered across several tables.

It also reportedly authorised karaoke sessions on 7 September and 12 September.

For the offences, Kim’s Place Seafood Restaurant was also given two closure orders amounting to 30 days – from 6 January to 4 February.

A tough nut to chew, considering the sheer circumstances at hand.

Other Breaches

In addition, four other F&B outlets were tasked to close for a period of ten days. They are:

• Xiao Yao Ge at 350 Jurong East Avenue 1
• Main Entrance at 40 Sago Street
• My Heritage Food and Beverage Trading, trading as Killiney Kopitiam at Lucky Plaza
• Tian Ya Hai Jiao KTV at 2 Aliwal Street

Another four F&B outlets were penalised S$1,000 each for flouting pandemic-related regulations, and two more incurred a S$2,000 fine for repeat breaches.

General breaches included positioning groups of diners less than 1 metre apart, tolerating bookings of more than eight people and allowing the said group to sit together.

Meanwhile, 104 individuals were punished for flouting pandemic-related regulations on 23 and 24 January, at places managed by the National Parks Board.

It should be noted that Changi Beach Park alone accounted for 27 individuals – who were each fined S$300.

The MSE has stated that enforcement measures will only be ramped up from now on.

“NParks will continue to step up enforcement at our parks and beaches,” the MSE said.

And though businesses may cry bloody murder, especially within these harsh times, one can only say that the MSE is simply doing what they have to do.

Featured Image: URA