SG issues tighter COVID-19 safety measures for F&B operations

This is after a two-week suspension of operations due to COVID-19.

The Singapore government has issued tighter safe management measures (SMM) against COVID-19 for the operations of nightlife establishments temporarily allowed to pivot to food and beverage (F&B) operations.

This came following a two-week operations suspension from 16 to 30 July to break community transmission of the virus from the cluster of cases at former KTVs and nightclubs.

“Establishments must remain closed, including for takeaway operations, until they pass the checks and receive written approval to reopen. Around 50 pivoted nightlife establishments that have committed SMM breaches since October 2020 will not be allowed to reopen,” according to the Sustainability and the Environment, Home Affairs, and Trade and Industry ministries.

On top of the requirement to have all their employees tested for COVOD-19 through PCR test and having checked by agencies for SMM protocols, the establishments will only have to use their main hall for F&B operations and all private rooms have to be locked and will not be used for other purposes.

CCTVs should cover all areas of operations including entrances of locked private rooms, with sufficient lighting levels for monitoring, the interior of the establishment should be clearly visible to people outside, and equipment for public entertainment such as pool tables, dartboards, and karaoke machines should be removed from the sight of customers.

All employees must undergo seven-day Fast and Easy Testing at the Health Promotion Board Quick Test Centre upon resumption of operations. SafeEntry Gateway should be implemented at entry/exit point for contact tracing, establishments should comply with prevailing licensing conditions.

Employees deployed at the entrance of the establishment must not delay the entry of enforcement officers or prevent the public from looking in, according to the ministries.

The Singapore Food Agency and other relevant agencies will reach out to the operators on the requirements and follow-ups.

Those that will violate the SMMs “are liable to have their conditional permits to operate withdrawn and must close immediately.”

Seven establishments had their license revoked for breaching SMMs and had been ordered to stop operations immediately.