SINGAPORE – As many as 17 people were found together at one beach and 13 at another. They were among the 117 people fined for breaching safe management measures such as limits on group sizes, at parks and beaches, since the start of phase three (heightened alert) on June 14.
The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said on Friday (June 25) that the breaches also included not wearing masks when not doing strenuous exercises.
The limit for social gatherings went up from two to five on June 14, following a fall in the number of Covid-19 cases in the community.
But in one incident, a group of 17 people were caught at Changi Beach Park, and another group of 13 people were caught at East Coast Park.
MSE said about 1,800 advisories had been issued for breaches.
Orchard Hotel Singapore has also been issued a fine and a suspension order after Singapore Tourism Board enforcement officers found 11 people gathered in a room there for a birthday celebration on Feb 6, MSE said. At that time, no more than eight people were allowed to be together for social gatherings.
The hotel was given a composition fine of $1,000, and was ordered to suspend room bookings for 30 days, till July 24. But it will be allowed to fulfil existing bookings made prior to the suspension.
Investigations of the individuals found in the room are ongoing, and enforcement action may be taken against them.
MSE also said all water play areas, water recreational facilities, campsites and barbecue pits in parks and gardens managed by the National Parks Board will remain closed until further notice.
Some parks, sections of beaches, lawns, and facilities may also be temporarily closed when these areas get too crowded, or when people do not comply with safe management measures.
MSE said: “Agencies will enforce against any breaches of safe management measures at these premises and identified hotspots based on public feedback and ground observations. These include parks, beaches, and common areas of Housing Board estates such as hardcourts, basketball courts and pavilions.”
MSE said agencies will continue to ramp up checks on food and beverage premises over the coming weekends. Operators should implement proper safe management measures.
As an example, Rumours Beach Club in Sentosa had engaged a third party security company to assist safe distancing ambassadors, and employees are required to keep their masks on at all times. It also encouraged all employees to get vaccinated, with almost 40 per cent of them having done so.
MSE said: “Operators that breach safe management measures, including one metre safe distancing between groups of diners, face closures, even for first offences.”
