According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, new restrictions has been implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Previously, many nightlife outlets pivoted into F&B outlets and were allowed to open. Now, they must pass inspections and receive a conditional permit from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) before they can resume operations.
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There will be new measures called the Safe Management Measures (SMMs). 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.
Requirements for resumption of operations
- All employees have undergone a one-time PCR test for COVID-19; and
- Agencies have conducted checks and are satisfied that SMM protocols are in place. This includes prevailing SMMs for F&B operators, as well as additional SMMs we will introduce for pivoted nightlife operators to further reduce public health risks and facilitate enforcement checks.Â
- Only the main hall can be used for F&B operations; all private rooms to be locked and not to be used for any purpose
- CCTVs to cover all areas of operation, including entrances of the locked private rooms. Lighting levels in outlets must be sufficient for activities to be observed on the CCTVs;
- The interior of the outlet must be clearly visible to people outside; no blackout windows or opaque doors along the perimeter of the outlet;
- Equipment that facilitate public entertainment (e.g. pool tables, dart boards, and karaoke machines) must be removed out of sight of patrons;
- All employees to undergo 7-day Fast and Easy Testing (FET) at a HPB Quick Test Centre, upon resumption of operations. This is a more stringent measure than the 14-day employer-supervised FET for typical F&B outlets;
- SafeEntry Gateway to be implemented at the entry/exit point to facilitate contact tracing;
- Prevailing licensing conditions must be complied with, such as on food preparation facilities and menu;
- Employees deployed at the entrance of the outlet must not delay entry of enforcement officers, nor prevent members of the public from looking in.
Source Ministry of Home Affairs