COVID-19 Singapore updates: Work pass revoked, businesses closed as part of enforcement actions

Following enforcement checks over the Good Friday long weekend, for flouting Circuit Breaker and safe distancing measures, 39 fines to work pass holders were issued, one work pass was revoked, 30 businesses were told to cease operations, and composition fines were imposed on three establishments.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) stated in a press release that it has revoked the work pass of a work pass holder for breaching the circuit breaker measures. The worker has also been permanently banned from working in Singapore.

Investigations by MOM revealed that the work pass holder from an essential firm had finished work on the evening of 9 April 2020. However, after taking his meal, he continued to loiter at various places for an extended period of time before returning to his place of residence on 10 April 2020 - a blatant breach of circuit breaker measures.

As part of enforcement operations, from 10 April 2020 to 12 April 2020, officers from multiple government agencies including MOM, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and the National Parks Board, issued a total of 39 fines to work pass holders found in breach of circuit breaker measures.

These individuals were found to have gathered in groups, engaged in group exercise or participating in recreational activities like frisbee or football with people who did not live in the same household. If found to be in breach of the circuit breaker measures for a second time, MOM will not hesitate to revoke the work passes of these individuals as well as the passes of their dependants.

MOM reminds employers and employees to abide by safe distancing rules during the circuit breaker.

"These rules are necessary for the health and safety of the individuals and the community. Ignorance of the requirements is not an excuse and MOM will not hesitate to enforce against errant individuals," the press release stated.

Businesses fined, told to cease operations for flouting safe distancing measures

In related news, Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has instructed 30 businesses to cease operations and imposed composition fines on three establishments and two delivery personnel, following enforcement checks over the long weekend (10 to 12 April 2020).

In a joint press release, ESG and STB stated that the 30 businesses which were instructed to cease operations, comprised businesses that had remained open despite providing non-essential services.

Three establishments - Putien (127 Kitchener Road), Komala’s Vege Mart Pte Ltd (125 Dunlop Street) and Jollibee (next to Causeway Point) - were issued composition fines of S$1,000 each for failing to enforce proper safe distancing measures despite earlier warnings.

The infringements included failure to implement crowd management system and allowing customers and delivery personnel to crowd together without 1-metre spacing between one another. If these stores continue to flout the rules, they will face higher fines and can be charged in court.

In the meantime, two food delivery personnel were fined S$300 each for non-compliance of safe distancing measures.

Businesses that fail to comply with elevated safe distancing measures will face immediate penalties

With effect from 12 April, ESG and STB will cease to issue warnings to businesses. Businesses failing to comply with the elevated safe distancing measures will face immediate penalties, such as composition fines.

Businesses are reminded to take the elevated safe distancing measures very seriously and ensure proper implementation and constant compliance with the measures.

Delivery businesses must also take concrete steps to ensure their delivery personnel cooperate and adhere to the measures. If safe distancing measures are not adhered to during the food pick-up and delivery process, action may be taken against the delivery personnel, the delivery platforms, and F&B establishments. Action can also be taken against delivery personnel who fail to observe safe distancing measures while waiting around.

Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act passed in Parliament on 7 April 2020, first-time offenders will face a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Subsequent offences may face a fine of up to S$20,000, imprisonment of up to twelve months, or both.

Ending on a more positive note, in an interview with CNA938 radio station yesterday (12 April 2020), Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said S$9 billion in support measures will be rolled out to families and businesses this month, ST reported.

Among the more immediate measures to be rolled out are the Solidarity Payment and the enhanced Jobs Support Scheme (JSS), both announced in the Solidarity Budget last week.

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