Stricter measures to be imposed as nightlife operators pivoting to F&B flout rules

STRICTER measures will be imposed on nightlife operators that have pivoted to the food and beverage (F&B) industry, after some were still found to be operating nightlife activities, while others repeatedly flouted safe management measures.

Firstly, with effect from this month, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) will start to revoke the food licences of ex-nightlife operators in the F&B industry found to have breached safe management measures, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said on Friday.

Establishments which lose their food licence must cease operations with immediate effect until the nightlife sector is allowed to reopen in future, or until their re-application for a new food licence is approved.

Secondly, nightlife operators intending to operate F&B establishments must now file a Change of Use application with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), to obtain planning permission to convert the premises into an F&B establishment.

While URA had earlier provided endorsements to facilitate nightlife operators to temporarily pivot to F&B operations, these operators must now apply for a change of use by the end of the one-year validity of these endorsements, if they intend to continue operating an F&B business.

Finally, agencies will also take other enforcement measures on operators within their regulatory ambit, including revoking the public entertainment licence or liquor licence.

Under such circumstances, operators will not possess a valid licence to reopen, provide public entertainment, and/or sell liquor even when there is a class resumption of the nightlife sector.

To date, 406 nightlife operators have received SFA's foodshop or snack counter licence and temporarily pivoted to F&B operations.

This is as the nightlife industry has stayed closed since March last year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Trials to reopen the industry gradually have also been postponed indefinitely, amid a resurgence of infections.

However, some establishments have continued to operate their usual nightlife activities, and have "flagrantly flouted" safe management measures in the process, said MSE.

The breaches include failing to prevent large groups of patrons from intermingling, employing hostesses, and allowing live entertainment and games.

In addition, the "vast majority" of repeated breaches have been committed by nightlife establishments that recently became F&B operators, MSE noted.

On Friday, MSE also announced that 10 F&B premises have been ordered to close, of which six are former nightlife establishments.

A total of 17 F&B outlets were fined S$1,000 each for breaching safe management measures. Another three were fined S$2,000 each for repeated offences.