Skip to main content
Home The New Paper
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team

Popular

  • COURT & CRIME
  • Food & Drink
Singapore

Bencoolen Street hostel suspended for 30 days for leisure bookings

Bencoolen Street hostel suspended for 30 days for leisure bookings
Investigations revealed that Hawaii Hostel in Bencoolen Street had permitted more than 260 guests to check in for leisure purposes since Sept 17. TNP PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID

Hawaii Hostel ordered to close until Nov 9 in one of strictest penalties so far

Malavika Menon
Oct 19, 2020 06:00 am
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • 0 Engagements

In one of the toughest penalties to date, a hostel has been ordered to suspend operations for 30 days for flouting Covid-19 safe management measures.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) ordered Hawaii Hostel in Bencoolen Street to suspend operations from Oct 11 to Nov 9 after investigations revealed it had permitted more than 260 guests to check in for leisure purposes since Sept 17.

Hostel operators are reminded that leisure bookings are not permitted. They should also comply with all safe management measures to safeguard the health and well-being of our people and prevent new clusters from forming, STB said.

STB said yesterday its officers also found Hawaii Hostel previously made false statements to safe distancing ambassadors, stating its customers were long-term guests instead of guests on leisure bookings.

It had also failed to record its guests' purpose of stay.

The hostel is not permitted to accept new bookings or accept check-ins during suspension.

New test kit that detects Covid-19 and seasonal flu approved by HSA
Singapore

New test kit that detects Covid-19 and seasonal flu approved by HSA

Jan 19, 2021

Related Stories

37,000 employees in aviation, maritime sectors to be vaccinated

Banks, insurance firms roll out initiatives to support vaccination

More measures may be necessary to keep infections in check: Minister

As hostels are close-living quarters where non-related individuals are likely to come into close contact with one another in enclosed spaces and for prolonged periods, there is a high risk for virus transmission associated with the physical setting.

STB's regular enforcement checks also found two establishments conducting business despite not being permitted to do so. On Oct 9, STB officers found that 72 Mad Monk, a bar at Concorde Shopping Centre, was open despite not having a valid food shop licence. It also let customers play pool and consume alcohol past 10.30pm.

On Oct 10, STB officers conducted checks at Kris Bollywood in Concorde Hotel and found two people consuming alcohol past 10.30pm. Both business are under investigation.

Under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020, first-time offenders may be fined up to $10,000. Subsequent offences may be fined up to $20,000.

Between Oct 6 and 14, STB issued fines ranging from $300 to $1,000 to 16 people for failing to wear a mask. Since the start of phase two, checks have been stepped up at tourism establishments and precincts.

Five food and beverage establishments were also fined for breaching safe management measures this month.

Four of them - Bagus Sio Good at #01-07A Far East Plaza, Chuan Yang Ji Mutton Soup Steamboat at 211 South Bridge Road, The Hot Gathering at 32 Upper Cross Street and Komala's Restaurant at 330 Serangoon Road - had failed to ensure 1m safe distancing between seated customers.

The fifth, Beauty In The Pot at #05-16 The Centrepoint, had accepted a booking of six people at the same table, one more than the five allowed under the law.

Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now

coronavirus

Malavika Menon

Read articles by Malavika Menon
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • Newslink -  Purchase this article for republication

Top Stories this Month

ICA officers find contraband cigarettes in God of Fortune figurines
Singapore

Thousands of duty unpaid cigarettes found in CNY figurines on lorry: ICA

Jan 18, 2021
Collision with bike leaves girl, 8, needing eye surgery
Singapore

Collision with bike leaves girl, 8, needing eye surgery

Jan 18, 2021
Covid-19 vaccination centres to be opened soon
Singapore

Singapore set to open Covid-19 vaccination centres

Jan 12, 2021
Home
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contact TNP
  • About SPH
  • Privacy Statement
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Member Terms & Conditions
  • Website Terms & Conditions
SPH Digital News Copyright © 2021 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E