When the government announced the start of Phase 2 in Singapore, one of the rules gained attention: social gatherings are allowed in F&B places, but limited to no more than five people.
However, some people have gamed the system by making separate bookings and requesting to be seated beside the other group, or simply turning up at the restaurant with a party of more than five. In some cases, restaurants would sit them in two tables, but patrons would continue to interact across tables.
Three food and beverage (F&B) outlets have been ordered to close for 10 days, while four others have been fined $1,000 each for flouting safe management measures, said the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment on Tuesday (Sept 22).
This brings the total number of F&B outlets taken to task for breaches to 45 since the start of phase two. Of these, 26 were ordered to close and 19 were fined.
The MSE said the authorities will continue to step up enforcement checks at F&B outlets and it urged customers to be socially responsible.
Here are some things to note about the five-person rule in F&B outlets.
