F&B Places See Closures After Breaking Safe Distancing Rules: Authorities
Authorities are still finding people who are gathering in groups of more than 5 at food establishments, as recently as 3 days ago.
While some may wonder about the continued existence of this particular rule, authorities have shown no sign of easing this measure.
Rather, they’ll now impose fines at the 1st offence if found, they said on Wednesday (9 Sep). This takes effect immediately.
Previously, only warnings were given, but the message doesn’t appear to have sunk in.
17 individuals fined after breaking safe distancing rules
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said that 7 places were fined $1,000, The Straits Times reported.
Among these places, 2 bars were also closed for a week, from 10-19 Sep.
They are:
- Le Noir
- Coyote Ugly Saloon
Both bars are located in Clarke Quay.
Additionally, 17 people were also fined for breaking the rule on gathering in numbers of more than 5 — more cases are under investigation.
The maximum number in a party should be 5, no more. 6 shall not count, nor 7 or 8. 4 is fine, but make no mistake that 5 is the upper limit.
Other rules broken include:
- Serving and consuming alcohol after 10.30pm
- Lack of mask-wearing
- Intermingling between different groups
- Lack of distancing of customers
- Playing loud music
All these can increase the risk of transmission of droplets.
Other agencies fined
Besides the URA, other agencies have also found groups and F&B places breaking rules.
It’s been busy for safe distancing ambassadors, indeed.
Enterprise Singapore fined 5 places for not distancing customers 1 metre apart.
Meanwhile, the Singapore Food Agency closed 1 bar and 2 restaurants.
Lastly, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) also closed a restaurant on 5 Sep.
20 places in total were suspended since the start of Phase 2, including British Indian Curry Hut in Holland Village.
Both restaurants & diners must play their part
Unfortunately, when diners gather in larger groups than they should, the blame falls on the restaurants.
Times are tough and rejecting customers is not an easy decision. However, not doing so can spell a week of closure as well as fines.
There are still Covid-19 cases in the community who aren’t detected yet, if a former NTU employee is any indication.
He never displayed any symptoms even after his swab test came up positive. Large gatherings can potentially cause the virus to spread even with no symptoms.
We’ll just have to wait a while longer for our larger gatherings. Hang in there, everyone.
Featured image adapted from TripAdvisor and Google Maps.
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