The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Sunday, May 17 ordered a slew of food and beverage (F&B) businesses at Robertson Quay to cease the sale of takeaway alcohol immediately.

These establishments, URA said, contributed to more people gathering around their premises by selling takeaway alcohol.

URA issued the order a day after crowds of people were seen congregating in the area.

A Facebook post on Saturday, May 16 highlighted the extent of the number of people that had been gathering, as people were seen exercising and cycling, as well as standing outside a restaurant chatting.

Robertson Quay was relatively packed on Sunday afternoon, according to eye witnesses in the area.

The area outside bars and restaurants was occupied by passers-by, as well as adults with children, and people were also seen exercising.

A URA spokesperson said in response to queries from Mothership.sg:

We are aware of online posts and articles of people congregating around restaurants in Robertson Quay as well as rumours of a ban on the sale of alcohol in the area.

During our safe distancing patrols at Robertson Quay, our officers found the majority of operators and individuals to be compliant with safe distancing measures. However, we observed that some restaurants in the area were selling take-away 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 take-away alcohol with immediate effect. Any contravention of such directions is an offence and we will not hesitate to take such parties to task.

In addition, we will not hesitate to take further enforcement action against business operators if we find other infringements of safe distancing measures. Similarly, individuals found to be in breach of safe distancing measures will also be fined.

We urge everyone to play their part in preventing the transmission of Covid-19 by adhering to the safe distancing measures and minimise the number of trips out of their homes, wear their masks properly before and after strenuous exercise, and not meeting people from other households to socialise.

A photo of an establishment that was seen in the Facebook post has since come out to address the issue.

Tap wrote on Facebook to clarify that the tables did not belong to it.

Tap said: “Although these tables did not belong to our restaurant, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight to everyone the importance of respecting and adhering to the rules set up by the current circuit breaker measures.”