Takeaway sale of alcohol at Robertson Quay stopped after photos of gatherings draw flak amid Covid-19 outbreak

[The_King]

 

 

SINGAPORE - The takeaway sale of alcohol at some Robertson Quay establishments has been disallowed, after photos of people socialising and allegedly flouting safe distancing measures at the riverside area drew the ire of netizens, as most of Singapore hunkered down at home in the battle against Covid-19.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said in response to queries on Sunday (May 17) that some restaurants in the riverside dining enclave had been selling takeaway alcohol to patrons, "which had contributed to more individuals gathering around these premises".

"To prevent such gatherings from taking place, we have issued a written direction to these restaurants to cease the sale of takeaway alcohol with immediate effect," said the URA spokesman. Restaurants that did not receive the URA directive can continue to sell takeaway alcohol.

"Any contravention of such directions is an offence and we will not hesitate to take such parties to task."

The directive came after a post on Facebook showing several photos of people failing to stay least 1m from each other in the waterfront neighbourhood went viral, having been shared more than 1,700 times since Saturday (May 16).

Most of these people pictured were not wearing masks, while some had their masks lowered as they spoke to one another.

 

The photos, taken by a recruitment manager in her 40s who wished to only be known as Ms Tan, were later shared on Facebook by a friend who goes by the handle Lectress Pat.

 

Ms Tan, who was exercising in the area, told The Straits Times she took the photos around 6.30pm on Saturday, after catching sight of the "alarming" crowds near the stretch of F&B outlets from Robertson Bridge to Alkaff Bridge.

People were sitting on the steps drinking and smoking, she said, and restaurants were selling beer in takeaway cups.

Netizens, noting that the chic riverside area tends to draw an expat crowd, have been quick to suggest that there might be "double standards" at play. Others called the people out on their behaviour, saying they were "selfish" and disrespectful of front-line workers.

 

Tap bar, which has an outlet in Robertson Quay, said in a Facebook post on Sunday that the URA had told them there would be a "total ban on the sale of alcohol, whether takeaway or delivery, by all the restaurants along the Robertson Quay area". It also noted in a comment that the police had been called in the night before to disperse a group of people who were smoking.

 

In an update later in the afternoon, however, it said that the authorities would allow deliveries from their Robertson Quay outlet.

URA said it was aware of online posts of people congregating around restaurants in Robertson Quay, and of "rumours of a ban on the sale of alcohol in the area".

The authority said it has been conducting regular patrols in various areas including Robertson Quay alongside relevant public agencies, and had found the majority of operators and individuals there compliant with circuit breaker measures.

But close to 30 fines and five closure orders have been issued over the past month to both individuals and business operators, said the spokesman.

Tap bar said that while its logo and promotional board were caught in one of Ms Tan's photos, it clarified that the table in the picture - which had beer cups on it - did not belong to them. The bar did not reply to netizens' queries on whether it had sold the beer that was being consumed.

All these Facebook posts have since been removed.

 

The police checking on a man along Robertson Quay on May 17, 2020. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

 

Tiong Bahru resident Joanna Fong, 36, who happened to be cycling in the area at around 6.30pm on Saturday, told The Straits Times: "It was like a square in Europe in summer. Everyone was drinking with kids and families all sitting together."

"I was so angry. If any of them gets Covid-19 now, it's taxpayers' money paying for their hospital bills... It was all expats, and the locals were there jogging past, shaking their heads. It's irresponsible, you have no regard for the country that is hosting you."

The marketing manager at SPH radio said she saw two uniformed policemen in the area, but they "just walked past". She added that the crowds in the Robertson Quay area are a regular occurrence nearly every day, and "it's like a street festival... without the music".

 

Ms Tan, who took the photos, added: "I didn't expect it to be so crowded, with no awareness of social distancing... To recover from this pandemic will really take everyone's effort. Every individual has to be conscious about the effort, because we are just two weeks from June 1, when this 'lockdown' is supposed to be over."

Singapore has been in circuit breaker mode since last month, when tighter social distancing measures came into force to stem the spread of coronavirus. The measures will be eased gradually after June 1.

People have been urged to stay at home, only venture out for essential activities, and limit their social contact to members of the same household. It is compulsory to wear a mask in public, unless one is engaging in strenuous exercise, and people must maintain a distance of at least 1m from one another. Social gatherings are also banned.

Those who fail to comply with the rules will be fined $300 if they are first-time offenders. Repeat offenders will face higher fines or prosecution in court for egregious cases.

 

The URA on Sunday urged everyone to adhere to safe distancing measures and minimise trips out of their homes, and wear masks properly before and after strenuous exercise.

"We will not hesitate to take further enforcement action against business operators if we find other infringements of safe distancing measures," said its spokesman.

"Similarly, individuals found to be in breach of safe distancing measures will also be fined."

 

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/takeaway-sale-of-alcohol-at-robertson-quay-stopped-after-photos-of-gatherings-draw-flak

[ManOfTheHour]

Why are humans so dumb

[stemcell]

Why are humans so dumb

[aaur4man]

Why are humans so dumb

[XianGe]

Why are humans so dumb

[Coffee_O]

work pass or work permit holder will get their permit canceled. but expats are let go with verbal warning?

 

even issue fine of $300 is maybe just 0.001% of their salary. 

 

really ish AMDKs. really double standard

[meng.huat]

AMDK just chit chat and invited to go home to pump new SPG