30 businesses instructed to cease operations and five composition fines issued for flouting safe distancing measures

Singapore, 12 April 2020

1. Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) instructed 30 businesses to cease operations and imposed composition fines on three establishments and two delivery personnel, following enforcement checks over the long weekend (10 to 12 April 2020).
   

2. The 30 businesses, which were instructed to cease operations, comprised businesses that had remained open despite providing non-essential services¹

Businesses fined for breaching safe distancing measures

3. Composition fines of S$1,000 each were issued to Putien (127 Kitchener Road), Komala’s Vege Mart Pte Ltd (125 Dunlop Street) and Jollibee (next to Causeway Point), for failing to enforce proper safe distancing measures despite earlier warnings. The infringements included failure to implement crowd management system and allowing customers and delivery personnel to crowd together without 1-metre spacing between one another. If these stores continue to flout the rules, they will face higher fines and can be charged in court.

Delivery personnel fined for breaching safe distancing measures

4. ESG imposed composition fines of S$300 each on two individuals, who are food delivery personnel, for non-compliance of safe distancing measures. We will step up enforcement efforts to ensure that delivery personnel comply with the safe distancing measures.

Strict penalties will be imposed on any breach of safe distancing measure

5. ESG and STB will cease to issue warnings to businesses with immediate effect. Businesses found to have failed to comply with the elevated safe distancing measures will face immediate penalties, such as composition fines. Businesses are reminded to take the elevated safe distancing measures[2] very seriously. They must ensure proper implementation and constant compliance with the measures.

6. Delivery businesses must also take concrete steps to ensure their delivery personnel cooperate and adhere to the measures. If safe distancing measures are not adhered to during the food pick-up and delivery process, action may be taken against the delivery personnel, the delivery platforms, and F&B establishments. Action can also be taken against delivery personnel who fail to observe safe distancing measures while waiting aroun

7. Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act passed in Parliament on 7 April 2020, first-time offenders will face a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Subsequent offences may face a fine of up to S$20,000, imprisonment of up to twelve months, or both.

Customers’ cooperation is crucial to ensure safe environment for all

8. To further safeguard public health, ESG and STB had introduced a mandatory requirement for customers to wear masks when visiting supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies and malls. Since the requirement took effect today (12 April), business establishments have rolled out steps to ensure that customers are wearing masks before entering their premises. These include putting up signs to inform customers of the mandatory requirement and allowing only those wearing masks to enter their premises.

9. However, enforcement officers reported encountering uncooperative customers who refused to put on their masks before entering the premises. Some customers even turned aggressive when told to do so, berating Safe Distancing Ambassadors and threatening to cough or sneeze on our officers. This socially irresponsible behaviour not only endangers the safety of our officers, but also other customers and staff working at the premises. Such cases will be reported to the Police for further actions in future.

10. We urge members of the public to be socially responsible and fully cooperate with the measures that have been put in place. If members of the public come across any businesses that have infringed safe distancing measures, they can report to Covid_GoBusiness@mti.gov.sg, along with details such as the name of the establishment, address and relevant evidence of the infringement (e.g. photographs).

Annex: Photos

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Jessie Ng
Senior Business Partner
Corporate Communications
Enterprise Singapore
M: +65 8318 2578
E: Jessie_Ng@enterprisesg.gov.sg

Audrey Kang
Manager
Communications
Singapore Tourism Board
M: +65 9366 1778
E: audrey_kang@stb.gov.sg

About Enterprise Singapore

Enterprise Singapore (ESG) is the government agency championing enterprise development. We work with committed companies to build capabilities, innovate and internationalise.

We also support the growth of Singapore as a hub for global trading and startups, and build trust in Singapore’s products and services through quality and standards.

About the Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.

Annex - Photos

Komala’s Vege Mart Pte Ltd (125 Dunlop Street) fined S$1,000 for not observing safe distancing measures. They failed to ensure proper crowd management despite earlier warnings.

Putien (127 Kitchener Road) was issued a composition fine of $1,000 for not observing safe distancing measures despite earlier warnings. They failed to ensure proper crowd management and customers did not comply with 1m safe distancing.

Jollibee (next to Causeway Point) fined S$1,000 for not observing safe distancing measures. They failed to ensure proper crowd management and allowed delivery personnel to crowd together without 1-metre spacing between one another. 

¹These include retail of mobile phone accessories, health food and hair treatment, etc. 

²Businesses must comply with the elevated safe distancing measures, and can refer to the sector-specific guidelines on the Ministry of Health website.