No Chance for F&B Outlets That Flout COVID-19 Rules As They Could Now Be Closed from First Offence

Lest you’re going, “Wait, isn’t that the default now? And it actually happened in the early days of Phase Two? Say, Holland Village?”

Well, no.

If you’ve been following the news, you’d have read about F&B establishments (and other businesses) being fined for breaking safe-management rules instead.

For example, three days ago, Enterprise Singapore said that they’ve fined six food and beverage (F&B) and beauty services businesses for infringing safe management measures, during enforcement checks conducted in August 2020. And earlier today, Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said that they’ve fined five F&B outlets and ordered two F&B outlets to stop dine-in activities for 10 days as they’ve flouted the safe-management rules.

And from now onward, no chance liao.

No Chance for F&B Outlet That Flout COVID-19 Rules As It Could Be Closed from First Offence

According to the Ministry of Health, they’ve observed Safe-Management Measure breaches at some F&B outlets, especially those at popular nightspots.

These breaches include the sale and consumption of alcohol after 10.30pm, individuals not wearing masks as required, gathering in groups of more than five and intermingling between groups (especially in a private room), seating customers less than one-metre apart, and the playing of loud music.

Agencies have typically issued warnings for the first offence.

However, from now on, agencies will take enforcement actions even for the first offenders.

And this includes closure of the premises.

MOH said the enforcement actions can be a fine or a closure of the premises, depending on the severity of the offence.

For example, if there are multiple breaches of SMMs in any one place, they will require the premise to be closed and…also surface the case to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) for possible prosecution.

In other words, be charged in court.

The multi-ministry task force co-chair and face of COVID-19 fight Lawrence Wong added, “Our enforcement agencies will be stepping up spot checks as well as enforcement actions.”

So, if you see that your favourite restaurant is closed tomorrow, it probably hasn’t been following the safe-management rules properly.