Jollibee, Putien & Komala’s Fined For Not Separating Delivery Riders & Customers
Authorities confirmed that 3 Food and Beverage (F&B) businesses have been fined $1,000 for not socially distancing their customers and delivery riders.
The F&B establishments named are:
- Jollibee next to Causeway Point
- Putien at 127 Kitchener Road
- Komala’s Vege Mart along 125 Dunlop Street
These cases were announced by Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on Sunday (12 Apr).
The businesses had allowed people to crowd around their stores without enforcing the required 1m safe-distancing rules between patrons.
A further 2 fines were given to 2 delivery riders for not practicing social distancing.
Jollibee, Putien & Komala’s didn’t distance customers and riders
Evidence of the lack of social distancing at these stores was also provided by the authorities.
At Komala’s outlet, queues were established with no distancing measures as patrons were observed queuing as per normal.
Meanwhile at Putien, customers were wearing masks. However, they stood within the restaurants beside each other without the required spacing.
The situation at Jollibee’s Woodlands outlet involved delivery personnel. Several of them were standing in close proximity while waiting for orders.
This was despite clear markings in taped up boxes on the ground for patrons to know how far they should be standing.
The main problem identified was two-fold — businesses weren’t ensuring people were further away from each other, and patrons themselves weren’t following distancing rules.
No more warnings, fines will be given immediately
Authorities are taking the issue of social distancing extremely seriously. No more warnings will be issued and direct fines will be dispensed to those who don’t follow regulations, effective immediately.
In the case of these 3 businesses, they had been warned before but the issue allegedly persisted.
Non-compliance could mean getting charged in court
If these stores continue to flout safety regulations, they could be fined even more or charged in court should the lack of distancing continue.
Fines don’t just apply to F&B outlets, but also to delivery riders & their respective company.
Additionally, 2 deliverers were also fined $300 each. Their identities and companies were not released to the media.
Not social distancing can cost lives
These are difficult times for everyone as we stay at home in a bid to fight Covid-19 as a nation. However, those who dabao food and those who deliver the food to you also have to be responsible.
Standing around talking to each other is tempting, but we must keep a distance from each other during this period. Otherwise we could risk creating even more clusters and even spread Covid-19 to those who order food themselves.
Social distancing must be taken extremely seriously. The fines are just there to remind us that there are real consequences for not doing so.
Featured image adapted from Enterprise Singapore.
