The Police are investigating 138 persons following island-wide enforcement checks on 238 massage establishments between 24 January 2022 and 26 March 2022.
A total of 100 massage establishments were found to have committed breaches under the Massage Establishments Act 2017. These include allegedly carrying on a business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a valid licence and failing to ensure employees do not provide sexual services in contravention of the Massage Establishments Rules 2018. Four massage establishments checked were also purportedly found to have committed breaches under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 and the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Reopening – Control Order) Regulations 2022. These include the alleged failure to minimize interactions between staff and customers within the licensed premises, and the failure to ensure that all staff and customers wear a mask within the licensed premises. Establishments may be issued with a 10-day closure order and a fine of $1,000 for first-time breaches, whilst customers who were caught not wearing a mask for the first time may be issued with a fine of $300.
A total of 39 women were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961 and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990.
Individuals found guilty of carrying on a business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a valid licence under Section 5(1) of the Massage Establishments Act 2017 are liable to a fine of $10,000, imprisonment of up two years, or both. Those found to have breached the prescribed rules and conditions under the Massage Establishments Rules 2018 are liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
Individuals who are repeat offenders of the Massage Establishments Act 2017 are liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, while repeat offenders of the Massage Establishments Rules 2018 will be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.
For non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 and the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Reopening – Control Order) Regulations 2022, individuals found guilty may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
The Police will continue with regular enforcement checks on massage establishments. Members of the public and businesses are advised to take the prevailing safe management measures seriously. The Police have zero tolerance for irresponsible behavior relating to the flouting of these measures and offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
07 April 2022 @ 10:00 AM