Singapore: Since the beginning of October, 15 food and beverage stores have been ordered to close, and 9 other establishments have been fined for violating COVID-19 regulations.
The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Environment (MSE) stated in a press release on Friday (October 22) that in addition to the enforcement actions taken by the National Environment Agency (NEA) at hawker centers, enforcement actions have been taken against these outlets.
The ministry stated that a Katong canteen on Mountbatten Road failed to carry out inspections to ensure that only people who passed the vaccination could enter or stay in its premises to eat food or drinks.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) ordered the Katong Canteen to be closed for 10 days from October 15th to 24th.
Cleared vaccination status refers to individuals who have been fully vaccinated, anyone who has recovered from COVID-19 and provided a valid pre-event testing (PET) exemption notice, or has a valid PET negative result in the past 24 hours People.
MSE said the agency has checked more than 1,000 sites and more than 3,700 individuals for compliance with differentiated vaccination measures.
The ministry stated: “Strict enforcement actions will be taken against operators and individuals who fail to comply with safety management measures (including wearing masks correctly).”
It added that enforcement actions include prosecuting and revoking licenses for food, public entertainment and alcohol.
MSE also stated that the agency will continue to strengthen inspections of restaurants and nightlife venues to ensure strict compliance with differentiated vaccination measures and safety management measures.
Repeated offense among those ordered to close
Another 14 outlets were ordered to be closed for at least 10 days due to violations, such as allowing music to be played in their premises, failing to ensure compliance with the number of permitted groups, and failing to ensure a safe distance of at least 1m between groups.
MSE stated that two branches, Kei Hachi on Keong Saik Road and KPO on Killiney Road, were ordered to close for 10 days because they allowed “verbal advice,” including singing and toasting.
The URA ordered De Boss House on Joo Chiat Road and Pink Whale on Circular Road to close for 20 days from October 15 to November 3.
MSE said that the beverages of Wanjin Restaurant on Serangoon Central Avenue were also ordered to be closed for 20 days because of failure to ensure multiple violations such as maintaining a safe distance of at least 1 million between customer groups.
MSE stated that Shi Hao Mala on Geylang Road was fined S$1,000 by the Land Authority of Singapore and ordered to close for 10 days.
The store allows a buffet line, but fails to ensure that the group of diners does not exceed the maximum allowed group size and that there is at least 1m between customer groups.
MSE stated that it has not yet ensured that proper procedures and controls are in place to facilitate contact tracing of people entering the premises.
The outlets ordered to be closed are:
- Katong Eating House at Mountbatten Road
- Canton Paradise at NEX
- De Boss House at Joo Chiat Road
- Drinks at Wan Jin Eating House at Serangoon Central Drive
- Fluff Stack at Tampines Central
- Kei Hachi at Keong Saik Road
- KPO at Killiney Road
- Mahota Kitchen at Tampines Central
- Malaysia Boleh at Simei Street
- Mama Chin at Circular Road
- Pink Whale at Circular Road
- Shi Hao Mala at Geylang Road
- Tai Fu Lou at New Bridge Road
- The Luxe Bistro at Upper Weld Road
- Wan Chai Hong Kong Tea Room at IMM Building
More outlets, individuals fined
Eight restaurants were fined S$1,000 for violations, including failure to ensure contact tracing of all individuals entering the premises.
An exit in North Mizon on Xiamen Street allows “oral advice” in the form of singing in its premises.
Yellow Goldenland, another agency of Peninsula Plaza, was fined S$2,000 for failing to ensure a safe distance of at least 1 million between customer groups.
A total of 24 people were fined for violating the regulations.
The fined outlets are:
Concorde Hotel & Mall Orchard Road
- Concorde Hotel and Shopping Mall at Orchard Road
- Delifrance at Tampines One
- Flippers at Ngee Ann City
- Kopitiam at Bukit Panjang Plaza
- North Miznon at Amoy Street
- Texas Chicken at Vivo City
- Toast Box at Ang Mo Kio Hub
- Ya Kun Kaya & Toast at JCUBE
- Yellow Goldenland at Peninsula Plaza
Other COVID-19 measures in Little India
MSE stated that as Deepavali is approaching, more tourists are expected, and Little India will take additional safety measures.
“Relevant government agencies will also strengthen law enforcement in Little India before Deepavali celebrations,” MSE said in its media release.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said on Monday that these measures include blocking a popular crosswalk at the junction of Campbell Lane and Serangoon Road on certain days and ensuring that businesses in the area do not extend their goods onto the sidewalk.
The MSE urged the public to “take socially responsible behaviors” to protect their own health and the health of others, adding that those who feel unwell or sick should seek medical treatment and stay at home.
It added: “Tourists are reminded to stay vigilant, follow safety management measures, and visit Little India during off-peak hours as much as possible.”
