Yahoo Finance 3 F&B operators ordered to close due to COVID-19 safe management violations
SINGAPORE — The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Monday (31 August) ordered operators of three food establishments to close for flouting COVID-19 safe management rules, including one that had transferred alcohol into teapots after 10.30pm to avoid detection.
All three were also fined between $1,000 and $2,000 for the offences, said the SFA in a press release.
Whimsical Bar would be closed with immediate effect until a food shop licence is obtained, while Create Kitchen and Tripes Hotpot would be closed from Wednesday till 11 September.
The SFA said that it had received feedback that Whimsical Bar – located at 2 Science Park Drive – was flouting various safe management measures.
Upon an inspection, the bar was observed to have spaced tables less than one metre apart, as well as allowed groups of more than five patrons to sit together and mingle.
“Consumption of alcoholic beverages after 10.30pm was also observed. We also found that Whimsical Bar was operating a food establishment without a valid food shop licence,” added the SFA.
Create Kitchen – located adjacent to the bar – had a licence to operate as a restaurant but violated similar safe management measures, said the authority.
Both were fined $1,000 for the offences.
The SFA also received feedback that S-Tripes Hotpot, which was licensed as a restaurant, was serving alcoholic beverages after 10.30pm.
Upon inspection of its premises at 731 Havelock Road, SFA officers found that the operator had flouted safe management measures on multiple occasions, the authority said.
These include observations that staff were not wearing masks or not wearing them properly in spite of reminders.
“Sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages was observed after 10.30pm, with the beverages transferred into teapots and empty green tea bottles before being served to avoid detection,” said the SFA.
S-Tripes Hotpot was fined $2,000 for the offences.
During Phase 2, safe management measures in place include the daily prohibition of both sale and consumption of alcohol in all F&B establishments after 10.30pm. This also includes consumption at any outdoor refreshment area and or tables/chairs owned or managed by such establishment.
Each group of customers must also be limited to five or fewer, with at least one-metre spacing between groups. Gatherings or groups involving more than five patrons in total are not allowed, and there should be no intermingling between groups.
Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020, first-time offenders will face a fine of up to S$10,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both. Repeated offenders may face double the penalties.
Under the Environmental Public Health Act, no person shall operate a food establishment without a valid licence. Offenders can face a fine of up to $2,000 on conviction. In the case of a continuing offence, they face a further fine not exceeding $100 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.
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