Being the owner of an F&B establishment these days must be tough.
You’re happy enough that there’s no circuit breaker or restriction on dining at public eateries, but you still want to make as much as possible.
After all, the circuit breaker could easily make a comeback.
But since you have a long list of coronavirus-related rules to follow, you can’t have as many customers at one time.
So, you have a choice:
- Follow the rules and make a little less
- Break the law and earn a little more for the time-being but risk getting ordered to close if caught
Unsurprisingly, many establishments have gone for number 2.
4 F&B Outlets Closed for Breaching Safe Management Measures
Remember how the authorities announced they were stepping up inspections over the Chinese New Year period?
It was basically a warning to F&B establishments: hey, we’re on the lookout, so don’t do anything stupid.
So, naturally, four establishments breached safe management measures.
One such outlet was Club One Min in Concorde Shopping Mall, which was ordered to close for 20 days between 20 Feb and 11 March by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
It should have known better, considering it was previously closed for 10 days between 20 Dec and 29 Dec for allowing groups of more than eight people.
But on 19 Feb, One Min was found to have allowed gatherings of more than eight people and provided hostesses who mingled with patrons.
“The Government takes a serious view of the violations by the operator and investigations are ongoing,” the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said.
The other three outlets were ordered to shutter for 10 days after diners were found consuming alcohol after 10.30 pm.
Stall 8 at Bedok’s Food Park Coffeeshop has to close from 19 Feb to 28 Feb.
Jin Jin Eating House and 200 HCM Food in Joo Chiat Road will also close between 23 Feb and 4 March.
13 Outlets & 234 Individuals FinedÂ
13 other outlets were also found to have breached safe management measures but were given slaps on the wrist in the form of fines instead.
Eateries including Shi Li Fang at Orchard Central, Rong Hua Bak Kut Teh at Waterway Point and Basil Thai Kitchen at Paragon were all fined $1,000 each for seating groups of diners less than 1m apart and for failing to prevent intermingling.
234 individuals were also fined $300 each during the past two weekends for breaching safe management measures, such as gathering in groups of more than eight people.
One group of 20 were found gathering at Changi Beach Park.
With the 15th day of Chinese New Year coming this Friday, members of the public are advised to avoid potentially crowded areas over the next few days during peak hours.
Whatever, you do, though, please follow the rules. Unless you have $300 to spare, that is.
Feature Image: Google Maps
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