From the day the coronavirus started running riot in Singapore, the government made one thing very clear: flout Covid-19 rules, and you’ll be punished.
And in response, some businesses and individuals have said: we hear what you’re saying, but we’re going to try anyway to see if we can get away with it.
12 months into a pandemic and you’d think businesses would have learned to obey the rules by now, after seeing many of their counterparts receive fines or orders to close.
But nope. They’re still doing it.
Tampines Seoul Garden Ordered to Suspend Operations
The Seoul Garden outlet at Tampines Mall has been ordered to suspend operations for 10 days for failing to ensure that Covid-19 safe management measures are abided by.
In a news release on Saturday (5 Dec), the Ministry of Health (MOH) said it began investigations after a man who had dinner with 12 family members at the restaurant tested positive for Covid-19.
The man and his relatives were seated at separate tables of up to five per table, but investigations revealed that there had been mingling among them.
But even if there hadn’t been, the authorities have made it clear that groups of more than five who gather in restaurants, even if seated apart, will be penalised.
The blame, though, falls on the restaurant, for failing to take reasonable steps to prevent the intermingling between tables on its premises.
As a result, MOH has ordered Seoul Garden to suspend its Tampines restaurant’s operations, including dining in and take-away, until 14 Dec.
The man and his family members may also face enforcement action, depending on the outcome of the ministry’s investigations.
The dinner took place on 21 Nov, and the man developed Covid-19 symptoms two days later. He tested positive for the virus on 25 Nov.
“We urge everyone to continue to exercise social responsibility, and to comply with the prevailing measures”, MOH said.
Foot Locker Ordered to Close as Well
If you thought Seoul Garden’s response to the family gathering was bad, have a look at the massive crowds that congregated outside Foot Locker’s Orchard outlet on Friday night (4 Dec).
It’s therefore unsurprising that the store has been ordered to close for 10 days as well, for failing to comply with Covid-19 safe management measures.
This time, it was the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) that gave the order.
“Large crowds had gathered at the outlet for a product launch on Friday, despite repeated advisories by public enforcement agencies on crowd management,” said STB in a joint statement with Enterprise Singapore (ESG) on Saturday (5 Dec).
During the 10-day suspension, Foot Locker is not allowed to conduct physical retail activities, but may continue to sell their products online.
Investigations are still ongoing and further enforcement action may be taken, STB said.
So, what was all the fuss about?
As you already know, the crowds had flouted Covid-19 rules, risked getting fines and Covid-19 all for a shoe.
Well, two shoes, to be exact.
Crowds had reportedly gathered for Saturday’s release of a limited-edition Adidas sneaker, which can make one a truckload of money if resold online due to the high demand.
But the crowds later dispersed after safe distancing ambassadors and police officers arrived.
STB and ESG urged retail businesses to hold online sales instead of physical product launches due to the large crowds it’ll attract.
“If physical launches are held, businesses must ensure they have robust plans for safe management measures in place, including crowd management and capacity limits,” they said.
Featured Image: Google Maps & Facebook (Sole Superior SG)
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