On 24 March 2020, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (“Taskforce”) on COVID-19 announced that stricter safe distancing measures would be implemented to minimise exposure to COVID-19 and significantly reduce the risks of local transmission.
All bars and entertainment venues such as nightclubs and cinemas would be closed as there is a higher risk of transmission in such venues due to sustained close contact over a period of time. In addition, all events or gatherings involving more than 10 persons would be prohibited. These enhanced measures took effect from 26 March 2020 2359 hours and will last till 30 April 2020, and may be extended if the situation does not improve.
On 26 March 2020, the Infectious Diseases (Measures to Prevent Spread of COVID-19) Regulations 2020 (the “Regulations”) came into force.
Under the Regulations, Public Entertainment (“PE”) operators and event organisers are required to comply with the following measures from 27 March to 30 April 2020 (both dates inclusive):
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Type of PE Outlet/Activity |
Measure |
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a. F&B Outlets Outlets with the following food shop licence types issued by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA)#:
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Outlets with these food shop licence types issued by SFA may continue to operate as a F&B outlet, provided that there is no provision of PE of any kind. These are assessed to be outlets where thesale of F&B is the primary function, even if suchoutlets also have PE licences for various types of PE, or are exempted from requiring a licence to provide certain PE (e.g. recorded music). All safe distancing measures required by law must be put in place during these outlets’ hours of operations. |
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b. PE Outlets Outlets that do not hold the food shop licence types stated in (a), but hold a PE licence with any of the following approved use*:
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These outlets are prohibited from providing any goods, entertainment or services according to Reg 3(1)(f). |
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c. Other PE Outlets Category 3 PE licensed premises:
This includes the following types of outlets under the PE (Exemptions) Order:
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These outlets are prohibited from providing/holding any public entertainment activities, according to Reg 3(1)(d).
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d. PE Events
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To defer or cancel, regardless of size of event.
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# Operators should check against their food shop licence issued by the SFA.
* Operators should check their premises’ approved use against the planning permission issued by the appropriate planning authority.
The penalty for an offence under the Regulations is a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both.
Social responsibility is critical to stopping the spread of the virus. We urge all PE licensees and operators to do their part in the fight against COVID-19.
SINGAPORE FOOD AGENCY
31 March 2020 @ 3:25 PM