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SINGAPORE – Seven popular nightlife food and beverage outlets (F&B) were fined $ 1,000 each for failing to adhere to safe distancing rules over the past weekend.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said Wednesday (Sept. 9) that two bars, Le Noir and Coyote Ugly on Clarke Quay, among the seven will also be suspended from Thursday (Sept. 10) through Sept. 19.
URA added that 17 people found violating the five-person rule at various other food and beverage outlets were also fined, and more are being investigated.
Common violations at all seven outlets, located at Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, China Square, and Tanjong Pagar, from last Friday (September 4) to Sunday (September 6) included violating the rule of five in a group and failure to guarantee a safe distance of 1 m between the groups.
Customers from all groups were seen intermingling and some operators were also found to have knowingly accepted reservations for more than five people, the URA said in a statement.
A URA spokesperson said safe distancing rules have been clearly communicated to food and beverage outlets, as well as individuals. “There should be no excuse to continue breaking the rules,” the spokesperson said, noting that operators are not allowed to accept groups of more than five people, even when customers are divided into different tables, or in private dining rooms.
It is also a crime for customers to gather in groups of more than five at these points of sale.
URA’s declaration comes after the announcement by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Wednesday that compliance controls will be intensified at these establishments.
Food and beverage establishments and diners who violate safe management measures, even for the first time, will also be sanctioned without warnings, the Health Ministry added.
The ministry said errant establishments will be fined or forced to close, depending on the severity of the violations.
For example, if multiple violations of safe driving measures are found anywhere, authorities will order the facility shut down and will also take the case to the Attorney General’s office for possible prosecution, the Health Ministry said.
The hardest movement kicks in with immediate effect.
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