According to information TOC received from a reader today (2 April), public entertainment outlets and bars along the Tanjong Pagar Road was still operating on the night of 1 April, more than five days after these businesses were ordered to close down amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The reader informed us that a KTV appeared to be operating as per usual, “with crowds gathering, bars and pub still entertaining large groups with no social distancing measures.”
We also received a video from the same reader showing the situation on the ground that night as he was driving past. People can be see milling around in groups outside of these venues, clearly not adhering to any of the social distancing measures implemented so far.
The reader stressed his hope that more enforcement measures could be put in place to help give frontline workers a fighting chance in their battle against the outbreak.
He said, “We have just crossed the 1,000 mark and if we do not contain the situation, we will fail as a country all together.”
SPF urges cooperation from business owners to adhere to regulations
The Singapore Police Force took to its official Facebook page today (2 April) to urge all public entertainment licensees and operators to do their part in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by adhering to the regulations set out by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce on 24 March.
The taskforce has announced stricter social distancing measures in efforts to minimise public exposure to the deadly virus and reduce the risk of local transmission. Part of these measures include the close of bars and entertainment venues as well as a limit to all events and gatherings to just 10 people.
These measures were implemented on 26 March and will last until the end of April. SPF noted in its post that the measures may be extended beyond April if the situation doesn’t improve.
Additionally, the Infectious Diseases Regulation 2020 also came into force on the same day. Under this law, public entertainment operators and event organisers are compelled to adhere to the measures as well. Those found guilty of violating these measures could be fined up to S$10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both.
The SPF also shared a table outlining the different types of businesses that fall into the the category of F&B (food and beverage) outlets, public entertainment outlets, other public entertainment outlets, and public entertainment events as well as the measures that correspond to each category.
To date, MOH has confirmed a total of 1,000 cases in the country, of which 245 cases have made full recoveries. However, 291 cases are clinically well but still test positive for COVID-19. These cases are currently being isolated at cared for at various medical facilities while another 23 are in critical condition in the intensive care unit. Tragically, four have passed away, the latest being a 68-year-old Indonesian national who succumbed to the virus early this morning.
