SINGAPORE — Twenty massage parlours have been told to close for 10 days after officers found that either a masseuse or a customer was not wearing a mask, the police said on Wednesday (June 16).

The establishments and customers were also each fined S$1,000 and S$300 respectively.

In a news release, the police said that their officers detected such breaches of Covid-19 safety regulations during enforcement checks.

"Where the customer was the party not wearing a mask, the masseuse had failed to enforce mask-wearing before providing a massage," they added.

Massage establishments are to ensure that all staff members and customers remain masked up at all times while within the premises, including the time when a massage is ongoing, the police said.

"Only customers who are using saunas or onsens or having facials done may be exempted from mask-wearing." 

The police will continue enforcement checks at massage establishments and advised members of the public to take safe distancing rules seriously.

Operators in breach of these regulations may be fined up to S$10,000 or jailed for up to six months, or both. The punishments may be doubled for those who have committed multiple offences.

Anyone convicted of breaking safe distancing rules may be jailed up to six months or fined up to S$10,000, or both. CNA

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