As many as 117 people were penalised for breaching COVID-19 protocols, including limits on group sizes, at parks and beaches, since the rollout of the nationwide phase 3 vaccination drive from June 14.
The Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) today said that the breaches also included not wearing masks when not doing strenuous exercise. The limit for social gatherings went up from two to five on June 14, following a fall in the number of COVID-19 cases in the community.
But last weekend, a group of 17 people were caught at Changi Beach Park, and another group of 13 people were caught at East Coast Park.
The ministry said that about 1,800 advisories have been issued for the violation.
Orchard Hotel Singapore has also been issued a fine and a suspension order after Singapore Tourism Board enforcement officers found 11 people gathered in a room there for a birthday celebration on February 6, MSE said.
At that time, no more than eight people were allowed to be together for social gatherings. The hotel was given a composition fine of USD 1,000, and was ordered to suspend room bookings for 30 days till July 24 but it will be allowed to fulfill existing bookings made prior to the suspension.
Investigations of the individuals found in the room are ongoing, and enforcement action may be taken against them.
The ministry also said all water play areas, water recreational facilities, campsites and barbecue pits in parks and gardens managed by the National Parks Board will remain closed until further notice.
Some parks, sections of beaches, lawns and facilities may also be temporarily closed when these areas get too crowded, or when people do not comply with safe management measures.
It said enforcement action will be taken against any breach of safe management measures at these premises and identified hot spots based on public feedback and ground observations.
“These include parks, beaches and common areas of Housing Board estates such as hardcourts, basketball courts and pavilions,” it added.
The ministry further said agencies will continue to ramp up checks on food and beverage premises over the coming weekends. Operators who breach safe management measures face closures, even for first offenses.