13F.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a permitted enterprise must not cause an event involving an organised gathering in person involving any of its permitted enterprise workers to take place in any room or place, on its permitted premises or elsewhere, for an occasion or a purpose that —
(a)
is substantially recreational or social in character; or
(b)
is not wholly or exclusively for the production of income from an authorised service provided by the permitted enterprise to customers of the permitted enterprise.
Examples of impermissible gatherings
Celebratory event for a particular permitted enterprise worker or director, such as a birthday party or retirement party, organised or sponsored by the permitted enterprise.
An annual dinner and dance for permitted enterprise workers organised under the direction of the permitted enterprise.
[S 524/2021 wef 19/07/2021]
[S 508/2021 wef 12/07/2021]
[S 329/2021 wef 16/05/2021]
[S 309/2021 wef 08/05/2021]
[S 275/2021 wef 24/04/2021]
[S 238/2021 wef 05/04/2021]
[S 900/2020 wef 22/10/2020]
[S 900/2020 wef 22/10/2020]
[S 238/2021 wef 05/04/2021]
[S 329/2021 wef 16/05/2021]
[S 508/2021 wef 12/07/2021]
[S 524/2021 wef 19/07/2021]
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to or in relation to an event involving an organised gathering in person —
(a)
that is for an occasion or a purpose that is —
(i)
wholly, exclusively or substantially for the production of income from an authorised service provided by a permitted enterprise;
(ii)
for professional or vocational training, or for testing, certification or accreditation of a permitted enterprise worker of a permitted enterprise, or his or her proficiency in a skill used in the authorised service provided by a permitted enterprise;
(iii)
for a permitted enterprise to comply with an order of a court, a direction given by or on behalf of a public officer or a public body in exercise of a power under any written law, or a requirement under or statutory duty appearing in an Act (including any alternative arrangements for meetings provided under section 27 of the Act); or
[S 900/2020 wef 22/10/2020]
(iv)
for promoting or facilitating employment by or contracts for service with the permitted enterprise;
[S 900/2020 wef 22/10/2020]
(b)
[Deleted by S 275/2021 wef 24/04/2021]
(c)
that consists only or mainly of permitted enterprise workers of a permitted enterprise where the gathering is for a purpose in sub-paragraph (a)(i) or (ii);
(d)
that has in the room or place not more than the lowest of the following:
(i)
50 individuals meeting in person at any time in relation to that event, not counting individuals who are present as relevant service staff for the event if the event is not taking place on any permitted premises occupied by the permitted enterprise;
[S 900/2020 wef 22/10/2020]
(ii)
the maximum number of individuals which the room or place may accommodate if there is a distance of at least one metre between any 2 individuals (whether customers, visitors or permitted enterprise workers) meeting in the room or place;
(iii)
the maximum number of individuals which the room or place may accommodate if regulation 10A or the First Schedule (where applicable) is complied with; and
(e)
during which all reasonably practicable steps are taken by the permitted enterprise to ensure that —
(i)
no food or drink is served for consumption or consumed in the room or place in connection with the event;
[S 536/2021 wef 22/07/2021]
(ii)
a distance of at least one metre is maintained between every individual meeting in person in the room or place in relation to that event;
[S 900/2020 wef 22/10/2020]
[S 928/2020 wef 01/11/2020]
(iii)
[Deleted by S 536/2021 wef 22/07/2021]
(iv)
no singing or playing of a wind musical instrument is engaged in by any individual present in the room or place;
[S 928/2020 wef 01/11/2020]
[S 40/2021 wef 26/01/2021]
(v)
[Deleted by S 536/2021 wef 22/07/2021]
(vi)
no verbal exhortations of goodwill or honour or about any other matter (whether or not auspicious or propitious), accompanied by a ritual (like toasting) in which a drink or any food is offered, taken or handled, are made during the event.
Example
An ovation offered and accepted with drinks during a meeting to congratulate the new chief executive on his or her receiving an enterprise award, is not allowed.
[S 40/2021 wef 26/01/2021]
(3) Paragraph (1) also does not apply to or in relation to an event involving an organised gathering in person —
(a)
that is for an occasion or a purpose that is wholly, exclusively or substantially for the production of income from an authorised service provided by the permitted enterprise to customers of the permitted enterprise;
(b)
[Deleted by S 275/2021 wef 24/04/2021]
(ba)
if the permitted enterprise provides an authorised service consisting wholly or substantially of such a live performance, that the live performance does not go beyond what is incidental only, and is not of a substantial nature, having regard to the occasion or purpose of the event;
[S 928/2020 wef 01/11/2020]
(c)
that consists of any permitted enterprise worker of a permitted enterprise and any customer of the permitted enterprise or any visitor to the permitted premises of the permitted enterprise;
(d)
that has in the room or place not more than the maximum number of individuals as follows:
(i)
where the room or place is on any permitted premises occupied by the permitted enterprise — the maximum number of individuals which the room or place may accommodate if regulations 10A, 10B(1)(k), 12 and 13E(1)(d) and the First Schedule (where applicable) are complied with;
(ii)
where the room or place is not on any permitted premises occupied by the permitted enterprise, such as a function centre hired from another permitted enterprise — 50 individuals meeting in person at any time in relation to that event, not counting individuals who are present as relevant service staff for the event;
[S 900/2020 wef 22/10/2020]
[S 524/2021 wef 19/07/2021]
(e)
during which all reasonably practicable steps are taken by the permitted enterprise to ensure that —
(i)
no food or drink is served for consumption or consumed in the room or place in connection with the event;
[S 536/2021 wef 22/07/2021]
(ii)
a distance of at least one metre is maintained —
(A)
between every member of any cohort in sub-paragraph (f) at the event and any other individual who is alone, or any other individual who is a member of another such cohort; or
(B)
between any 2 individuals in the room or place, each of whom is not a member of a cohort in sub-paragraph (f);
[S 524/2021 wef 19/07/2021]
(iii)
[Deleted by S 524/2021 wef 19/07/2021]
(iv)
no singing or playing of a wind musical instrument is engaged in by any individual present in the room or place;
[S 928/2020 wef 01/11/2020]
[S 40/2021 wef 26/01/2021]
(v)
[Deleted by S 536/2021 wef 22/07/2021]
(vi)
no verbal exhortations of goodwill or honour or about any other matter (whether or not auspicious or propitious), accompanied by a ritual (like toasting) in which a drink or any food is offered, taken or handled, are made during the event; and
Example
A raucous toast for the guest-of-honour on an event marking the opening a department store is not allowed.
[S 40/2021 wef 26/01/2021]
[S 524/2021 wef 19/07/2021]
(f)
during which all reasonably practicable steps are taken by the permitted enterprise to ensure that individuals in the room or place (except relevant service staff) remain in cohorts of not more than 5 individuals.
[S 536/2021 wef 22/07/2021]
[S 584/2021 wef 10/08/2021]
(3A) [Deleted by S 524/2021 wef 19/07/2021]
(4) For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3), an individual is a relevant service staff for an event caused by a permitted enterprise to take place in any room or place not on the permitted premises of the permitted enterprise (such as a function centre hired from another permitted enterprise) if the individual is as follows:
(a)
a permitted enterprise worker of another permitted enterprise providing any of the following in connection with the conduct of the event:
(i)
the room or place, tentage, furniture, furnishings, lighting, sound or other equipment for hire;
(ii)
food or drinks or both, eating or drinking utensils or food or drink appliances;
[S 508/2021 wef 12/07/2021]
(iii)
any flowers, decorations or other paraphernalia for hire;
(b)
at work at the event as such a permitted enterprise worker.
[S 900/2020 wef 22/10/2020]
[S 238/2021 wef 05/04/2021]
[S 329/2021 wef 16/05/2021]
[S 508/2021 wef 12/07/2021]
[S 524/2021 wef 19/07/2021]
(5) To avoid doubt, paragraphs (2) and (3) do not derogate from any other requirements in these Regulations as follows which are applicable to a permitted enterprise if not inconsistent with anything in those paragraphs:
(a)
in respect of every permitted enterprise worker of the permitted enterprise when at work;
(b)
when the permitted premises are open to entry by customers or visitors of a permitted enterprise.
[S 900/2020 wef 22/10/2020]
[S 816/2020 wef 28/09/2020]
[S 238/2021 wef 05/04/2021]
[S 329/2021 wef 16/05/2021]
[S 508/2021 wef 12/07/2021]
[S 524/2021 wef 19/07/2021]
(6) Paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply to the holding of —
(a)
a sporting event;
(b)
a media conference;
(c)
a live performance;
[S 508/2021 wef 12/07/2021]
(d)
a major business event; or
[S 508/2021 wef 12/07/2021]
(e)
a religious gathering,
[S 508/2021 wef 12/07/2021]
but to avoid doubt, this regulation does not prohibit a permitted enterprise causing an event involving an organised gathering in person that is an event mentioned in sub-paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) if that is held in compliance with the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Performances and Other Activities — Control Order) Regulations 2020, the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Sporting Events and Activities — Control Order) Regulations 2021, the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Major Business Events — Control Order) Regulations 2021 or the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Religious Gatherings — Control Order) Regulations 2021, whichever being applicable.