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Gemma Steakhouse at the National Gallery of Singapore was ordered to suspend operations for 20 days for hosting a dinner for 75 guests on October 31 and not preventing them from mingling, in a blatant violation of Covid-19 safe management measures. , the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment (MSE) said yesterday.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), which reports to the ministry, discovered that a club of private members had worked with the restaurant to organize the Halloween-themed dinner. Club members and their guests attended.
Although diners were seated at tables of up to five, images from closed-circuit television cameras showed that they mixed multiple times and did not wear masks even when they weren’t eating or drinking, MSE said. The images also showed that the restaurant staff did not take reasonable steps to avoid mixing on their premises.
No details were given of the club and those involved. The ministry said: “Investigations into possible non-compliance by various parties continue.”
Social gatherings of more than five people are prohibited under Covid-19 regulations. Food and beverage establishments are also prohibited from accepting group bookings of more than five, even if they are divided into tables. Mixing between groups is not allowed.
The SFA issued an order requiring the restaurant to close for 20 days from Thursday through December 22 for accepting a large group reservation and failing to take reasonable steps to prevent multiple instances of diner mixing.
The National Gallery said when authorities informed it of the incident, it approached the store, which is run by food and beverage operator Il Lido, and reinforced its policy of strictly following Safe Management Measures (SMM).
“The Gallery also facilitated SFA’s investigation into the incident, which later revealed that the restaurant failed to ensure that stipulated SMMs were met despite being informed by the Gallery of government regulations,” he added.
The Gallery said it has issued an official warning letter to Il Lido about the infringement and will enforce strict compliance with SMMs with tenants.
In a statement last night, Gemma said she created a themed dinner experience for October 31 and marketed it on the database of a private members club who acted as her marketing partner.
“For that night, the restaurant received 17 reservations at different tables in groups of four to five people per table, who arrived at different times,” he said, admitting that the diners had mixed despite the restaurant’s attempts to remind him.
“The restaurant is aware that it did not do enough to handle the situation and deeply regrets its actions,” he added, saying that it has been cooperating with SFA and that it will take the next 20 days to strengthen and improve the SMMs.
In its statement, MSE said: “The government has a serious opinion of the flagrant violations of the SMM.”
“Going out to dinner is an activity that entails considerable risks. It implies meeting in closed spaces, without masks and for a long time. Although the majority have been adhering to the measures, it is regrettable that there is a minority that continues to violate SMM,” he added the ministry.
“We will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action against operators and individuals who treat SMMs with blatant disregard.”
MSE urged people to be socially responsible, saying, “Our collective efforts will determine whether we make the transition to phase three.”
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