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SINGAPORE: Gemma Steakhouse at the National Gallery was ordered to suspend operations for 20 days after COVID-19 rules were breached during a private Halloween dinner attended by about 75 people, the Ministry of Justice said on Friday. Sustainability and Environment (MSE). 4).
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) had received comments on the October 31 dinner and began investigating Gemma Steakhouse for possible violations of safe management measures.
Gemma Steakhouse was found to have worked with a private members club to host the Halloween dinner, which was attended by about 75 diners, including both club members and their guests.
MSE did not provide the name of the private membership club. CNA has contacted the ministry for more details.
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“Although diners were seated at tables of up to five, CCTV footage showed that they mixed multiple times and did not wear their masks even when they were not eating / drinking,” MSE said.
“The images also showed that the restaurant staff did not take reasonable steps to prevent them from mingling on their premises.”
Under COVID-19 security measures, social gatherings of groups of more than five outside of an individual’s residence are prohibited.
Food and drink establishments are also prohibited from accepting group reservations of more than five, even if those groups are divided into multiple tables. Mixing of groups is also prohibited.
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For accepting a large group reservation for this dinner and for failing to take reasonable measures to avoid multiple instances of mixing among the group’s diners, SFA ordered Gemma Steakhouse licensee Il Lido to close the restaurant from December 3 to December 22, inclusive. of both dates.
Investigations are continuing regarding possible breaches by various parties, MSE said.
“The government takes seriously the flagrant violations of the safe management measure. Dining out is an activity that carries considerable risks. It involves meeting in closed spaces, without masks and for a long time,” the ministry said.
“While the majority have adhered to the measures, it is regrettable that a minority remains that continues to fail to comply with the safe management measure. We will not hesitate to take strong enforcement measures against operators and individuals who blatantly treat the safe management measure. indifference”.
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Gemma Steakhouse, which opened Oct. 21, said on her Facebook page Friday that she regrets “disappointing” her fans.
“We are sorry to disappoint our fans and guests, especially those whose reservations have been affected, but we respect the decision of our authorities,” he said.
“Rest assured that we will continue to move forward by taking the next few weeks to raise our safe management measures.
MSE cautioned against complacency, saying that COVID-19 remains a serious threat and that a resurgence of infections could have devastating effects on lives and livelihoods.
“We urge all members of the public to be socially responsible and observe the safe management measure. Our collective efforts will determine whether we successfully transition to Phase 3 as we adjust to a new normal,” MSE said.
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