SINGAPORE — Two food-and-beverage (F&B) outlets have been ordered to close, while three others were fined for breaching Covid-19 safety regulations, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said on Friday (March 5).

Thirty-one individuals were also fined for breaking Covid-19 rules at parks and beaches, including gathering in groups of more than eight.

During the Chinese New Year period last month, there had been stepped-up checks by the authorities on compliance with these regulations. 

OUTLETS SUSPENDED

1. Club Peaches on Orchard Road

Last Friday, the club engaged hostesses who intermingled with different groups of patrons across various tables.

It was ordered to close temporarily for 20 days, from Feb 27 to March 18.

Club Peaches was previously fined S$1,000 for seating more than five people at a table during the second phase of Singapore’s reopening after a partial lockdown — when the limit was five persons — and providing games to patrons on Dec 18 last year. 

Under Covid-19 laws, F&B establishments are not allowed to provide games if they are not also an amusement centre. 

2. Tasty Loong on Tiong Bahru Road

The Chinese restaurant was found to have allowed customers to verbalise auspicious sayings, followed by toasting, on Feb 20. 

It also failed to minimise physical interactions between customers and employees.

The outlet was ordered to shut for 10 days from Feb 25 to March 6.

OUTLETS FINED

Three F&B outlets were each fined S$1,000 for seating groups of diners less than 1m apart and failing to conduct temperature checks before admitting customers.

They are:

• RedDot Brewhouse on Dempsey Road

• Rocky Master on Orchard Road

• Wine Trade on Cuppage Road

In addition, two operators that were previously charged with breaching Covid-19 laws have since been found guilty and fined.

Invincible (BBCM) — which runs the Invincible Noodle House at 13 Circular Road in Boat Quay — was fined S$14,000 for failing to ensure safe distancing between customers and allowing them to consume liquor after 10.30pm.

The sale and consumption of alcohol is banned at eateries after 10.30pm.

The other operator, Mark Enterprise — which runs the Try Again bar at 17 Circular Road — was fined S$4,000 for continuing business operations despite being ordered to close.

‘REMAIN VIGILANT’

From Jan 22 to Feb 28, a total of 19 F&B outlets were ordered to close and 572 individuals and 36 F&B premises were fined for breaching safe management measures, MSE said.

It added that the risk of Covid-19 transmission in the community remains despite the festive period having come to a close.

“We urge members of the public and operators to remain vigilant and committed to observing safe management measures,” the ministry said.

Separately, the National Environment Agency (NEA) issued an advisory on Friday on safe distancing and crowd control measures ahead of the Qing Ming Festival — or the Chinese tomb-sweeping festival — on April 4. 

It advised the public to limit the number of family members visiting government cemetery and columbarium complexes to two people from each household, and to visit during weekdays when it is less crowded. 

The opening hours for government-managed columbaria — the Choa Chu Kang, Mandai, and Yishun Columbaria — will also be extended to 24 hours daily from March 20 until April 18.

An e-appointment booking system for visitors driving to Mandai Columbarium will also be implemented during peak days, the agency added.