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Orchard Hotel suspended for 30 days after 11 individuals found in its guest room

Orchard Hotel Singapore was ordered to suspend room bookings for 30 days for breaching safe management measures. (PHOTO: Screenshot/Google Maps)
Orchard Hotel Singapore was ordered to suspend room bookings for 30 days for breaching safe management measures. (PHOTO: Screenshot/Google Maps)

SINGAPORE — Orchard Hotel Singapore has been ordered to suspend room bookings for 30 days, from Friday (25 June) to 24 July, for failing to comply with Safe Management Measures (SMMs) during Phase 3 of Singapore's reopening after its COVID-19 circuit breaker period.

In a media release on Friday, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said that enforcement officers from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) found 11 individuals gathering at a guest room in the hotel for a birthday celebration on 6 February this year.

This contravened the prevailing Phase 3 SMMs, which stated that hotels must not allow gatherings of more than eight individuals in any guest room, except where the gathering consists wholly of individuals from the same household.

Orchard Hotel Singapore will not be permitted to accept new room bookings during the suspension period, but may continue to fulfil existing bookings made before the suspension.

Further investigations of the individuals involved in the birthday celebration are ongoing, and enforcement action may be taken against them.

117 individuals fined for breaching SMMs in parks and beaches

Since the start of Phase 3 (Heightened Alert) on 14 June, 117 individuals have been issued fines for breaching SMMs in parks and beaches managed by the National Parks Board (NParks).

These breaches include not wearing masks when not engaging in strenuous exercises, and gathering in groups larger than the permitted size. For example, a group of 17 individuals and a group of 13 individuals were caught gathering in Changi Beach Park and East Coast Park respectively.

In addition, around 1,800 advisories were issued to individuals for breaches.

Facilities to remain closed in parks and gardens

MSE said in its media release that all water play areas, water recreational facilities, campsites and barbecue pits in NParks-managed parks and gardens will remain closed until further notice.

NParks will also temporarily close access to some parks, sections of beaches, lawns, and facilities – such as hard courts, shelters and car parks – when these areas get too crowded or where people remain non-compliant with SMMs.

The public are advised to check the Safe Distance@Parks portal for the latest updates on visitorship levels before heading to parks.

MSE said in its media release that for those who flout SMMs at high-risk settings and identified hotspots, first-time individual offenders face a composition fine of $300. Repeat offenders will face higher fines, or prosecution in court for egregious cases.

Operators that breach SMMs, including one-metre safe distancing between groups of diners, face closures, even for first offences.

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