Food licences nixed for 3 former nightlife operators after repeated SMM breaches
SINGAPORE — The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has revoked the licences of three food-and-beverage (F&B) outlets which were former nightlife establishments, after they were found to have repeatedly breached safe management measures (SMMs). They are to cease operations with immediate effect.
The Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said in a media release on Thursday (15 July) that this is the first time that F&B outlets have had their licences revoked for breaching SMMs since an enhanced penalty framework was implemented in May.
The three F&B outlets were observed to have multiple SMM breaches such as failing to minimise interaction between staff and customers, allowing groups of more than two people to sit together, and playing music.
The outlets are:
Peony Garden Food House, also known as Club Diamond (Oriental Plaza): It failed to minimise physical interaction between staff and customers, and allowed a group larger than two persons to eat and drink together in a private room. The operator was previously ordered to close for 10 days from 3 to 12 July.
3 Kings Pub (Lucky Plaza): It failed to ensure safe distancing of at least one metre between groups of customers, allowed groups larger than two persons to eat and drink together at the same table, and played music. The operator was previously ordered to close for 10 days from 3 to 12 July.
DMAX (Golden Mile Tower): It failed to minimise physical interaction between staff and customers, allowed groups larger than two persons to sit together, allowed music to be played, and provided forms of entertainment such as playing cards.
"Nightlife establishments were allowed to pivot temporarily to F&B from October 2020," MSE said in its media release.
"Unfortunately, a number of establishments continue to operate nightlife activities which are currently prohibited, including employing hostesses or permitting freelance hostesses to serve and drink with multiple groups of customers. Others have also flagrantly flouted SMMs in the process.
"Common SMM breaches committed by these nightlife operators which have pivoted towards F&B operations include failing to prevent large groups of patrons from intermingling, and allowing live entertainment (e.g. live singing and dancing, playing of musical instruments) and games (e.g. dice and billiards)."
11 outlets fined between $1,000 and $2,000
Another 11 F&B outlets were fined between $1,000 and $2,000 each for breaching SMMs.
Breaches included seating groups of customers less than one metre apart and allowing groups of more than two individuals who were not from the same household to be seated across multiple tables, and allowing consumption of alcohol on their premises beyond 10.30pm.
The outlets are: Al Mubin Eating House (Syed Alwi Road), Barakath Restaurant (Dalhousie Lane), Food Republic (313 Somerset), Golden Treasure Restaurant (Lor 25A Geylang), Haakon (313 Somerset), Mamita’s Kitchen (Lucky Plaza), Plentyfull Deli (Great World City), Ristorante Luka (Tanjong Pagar Road), The Dark Gallery (Ngee Ann City), Yue Yu Restaurant (Lor 25A Geylang), and &Joy Dining Hall (Great World City).
Twenty-four individuals were fined $300 each for gathering in groups larger than the permitted group size while dining at various F&B outlets, while seven staff were fined $300 for failing to wear masks.
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