No private rooms among measures required at F&B-pivoted nightlife outlets
SINGAPORE – Ensuring that the interior of the outlet is clearly visible to people outside, and using only the main hall for food and beverage (F&B) operations, are two of the additional safe management measures (SMM) that pivoted nightlife outlets have to adhere to if they are to reopen after being given the green light by authorities.
A mandatory two-week suspension of such establishments was announced by the COVID-19 Multi-Ministry Task Force on 16 July. As of Friday (30 July), there are 250 cases linked to the KTV lounges and clubs cluster.
In a joint press release on Saturday, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, and Ministry of Trade and Industry said that establishments must remain closed, including for takeaway operations, until they pass the inspections and receive written approval to reopen.
The full additional SMM for these pivoted establishments are:
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.
In order to reopen, the ministries said, the outlets must make sure all employees undergo a one-time PCR test for COVID-19, and agencies must have conducted checks and are satisfied that SMM protocols are in place.
Around 50 pivoted nightlife establishments which have committed SMM breaches since October 2020 will not be allowed to reopen.
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