Although countries are carrying COVID-19 vaccinations drives, the surge in the number of cases of Delta variant has brought back health precautions like face masks, social distancing, and limited crowds. Therefore, authority in Singapore fined Apple for hosting an employees social gathering with over 50 people at its Orchard Road store on June 18.
The Straits Times reports that the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) found the tech giant in violation of the country’s COVID-19 protocol. “Under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, enterprises permitted to operate must not physically hold social events involving their employees.”
Singaporean Tourism Board fines Apple for not following COVID-19 checks at its Orchard Road store
As per the report, the country passed the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act passed in Parliament on April 7, 2020. Under the act, first-time violators will face up to a $10,000 fine or jail term up to six months or both. Repeat offenders will face up to $20,000 or jail term up to twelve months, or both.
The STB says that the retail store’s staff had gathered to celebrate an employee’s final day at work but the number of attendees exceeded 50 people. And as the country is starting its re-opening phase, the authority had increased the checks on tourism businesses and precincts like Apple retail stores and shopping malls. STB said:
“We will continue to conduct regular enforcement checks and will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against businesses or members of public who flout safe management measures.”
Apple has three retail stores in Singapore, at Orchard Road, Jewel Changi Airport, and Marina Bay Sands. Although the tech giant is gradually resuming Today at Apple physical session at various Apple Stores around the world, it has not yet begun the sessions in Singapore. After several months of COVID-19 flatline, Singapore is gripped with a resurgence of positive cases since July 2021.
Read More:
