While we couldn’t have large parties on New Year’s Eve in 2020, the shift to Phase 3 meant that we could gather in groups of 8, or have 8 visitors over at our house.
Sure, it wasn’t exactly the big bash we wanted, but it’s certainly better than nothing at all.
After the new rules kicked in, we had two options:
- be grateful we could invite more friends for our New Year’s party and follow the rules
- keep doing what we’ve been doing all year; celebrating everything alone in our room while eating cake
Unfortunately, one rather large group of partygoers decided to party like it was 2019 instead, and in an empty office of all places.
Police Caught 44 People Partying in an Empty Boon Lay Way Office on 1 Jan at 1:20am
The police are looking into a case of non-compliance with safe distancing measures involving a party of 44 people.
According to The Straits Times, the large group had gathered at an industrial building along Boon Lay Way where they drank, smoke, and sang in an empty office past 1am on Friday (1 Jan).
The police said they received a report at 1.20am on Friday, and found a group of 29 men and 15 women, aged between 17 and 34, when they arrived.
Based on their preliminary investigations, the group had allegedly gathered to socialise.
The police also determined that the premises are not licensed to provide public entertainment.
The 44 partygoers, comprising 41 Singaporeans, a Singapore permanent resident, a Malaysian, and a Chinese national, are now being investigated for flouting safe distancing measures under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
If found guilty of this offence, they could be jailed for up to six months, fined up to $10,000, or both.
As for the unlicensed premises, the offence of providing public entertainment without a valid licence carries a fine of up to $20,000.
They weren’t the only ones partying too hard to remember the rules during the festive period, however.
STB Investigating Possible Breach of COVID-19 Rules in a Royal Caribbean Cruise
You might remember coming across a video of 10 men and women partying on board a yacht at Lazarus Island.
All 10 of them could be seen dancing in swimwear close to each other, and none of them was seen wearing a mask.
They will not be getting presents from Santa Claus this year.Â
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said it’s looking into the matter, and takes a serious view of any breach in safe management measures on cruises departing from Singapore.
A Royal Caribbean International spokesman has since acknowledged the incident, and stated it is currently holding its own investigations as well.
Phase 3 – The New Normal
There’s a reason why the authorities dubbed Phase 3 of our safe recovery the “New Normal”.
It’s because we won’t be able to return to how things were before the pandemic just yet, and maybe never.
While the number of community infections remains low, it’s important to remain cautious and vigilant, especially with the new Covid-19 strain roaming around the globe.
Let’s just be thankful that we can visit more of our friends these days, and not push our luck.
Featured Image: View Apart / Shutterstock.com (Image is for illustration purpose only)
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