45 people under police probe after raids on 51 massage establishments, public entertainment outlets

SINGAPORE — The police are investigating 45 people after island-wide enforcement operations on massage establishments and public entertainment outlets.

Between Aug 9 and 15, the police raided 42 massage establishments and nine public entertainment outlets.

One of them was an unlicensed outlet with a karaoke lounge concept along Chang Charn Road in Redhill. Four women aged 30 to 33 were arrested for allegedly working without valid work permits, the police said in a statement on Friday (Aug 20).

Eleven people found on the premises are being probed for alleged breaches of rules to curb the spread of the coronavirus under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020. 

A 40-year-old man was also nabbed over his suspected involvement in managing the unlicensed public entertainment outlet. These offences come under the Public Entertainments Act and Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act.

Separately, 17 massage establishments were believed to have violated various rules under the Massage Establishments Act and Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020. 

Among them were three outlets found to be operating without valid licences, the police said.

One massage establishment will be ordered to shut for 10 days for allegedly failing to ensure that all its customers had worn masks when getting a massage. 

In all, investigations into 29 operators, masseuses and a customer are under way.

Under Section 5(4) of the Massage Establishments Act, those found carrying on a business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a licence could face a S$10,000 fine or a jail term of up to two years, or both. 

Repeat offenders face a fine of up to S$20,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both. 

Those found to have infringed the prescribed rules and conditions under the Act could be fined up to S$5,000. In the case of another conviction, they will face a fine of up to S$10,000 or a jail term of up to two years, or both.

For breaking safe-distancing rules under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, offenders may be jailed for up to six months or fined up to S$10,000, or punished with both. 

Supplying liquor and providing public entertainment without a licence carry a fine of up to S$20,000 each.

The police said that they have been enforcing the rules consistently at massage establishments and illegal karaoke lounges to suppress vice and other illegal activities.

They advised the public and businesses to take infection control measures seriously. 

“The police have zero tolerance for irresponsible behaviour relating to the flouting of these measures and offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.”