The Police, together with Singapore Tourism Board (“STB”), Enterprise Singapore (“Enterprise SG”) and Singapore Land Authority (“SLA”), conducted island-wide enforcement checks on 139 public entertainment outlets between 4 May 2022 and 10 May 2022, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure a safe resumption of nightlife businesses in Singapore.
During these operations, three licensed and unlicensed public entertainment outlets were found to have committed various breaches under the Public Entertainments Act 1958 and the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015. Investigations against these outlets’ operators are ongoing.
An outlet located along Serangoon Road was found to have allegedly operated with recorded music and supplied of liquor across two different units. However, the operator only possessed a valid public entertainment licence for one of these units and a valid liquor licence for the other. The outlet’s operator is being investigated for providing public entertainment without a valid licence under the Public Entertainments Act 1958, and for supplying liquor without a valid licence under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015.
Another outlet located along Circular Road was found have allegedly operated with recorded music played loudly from a set of speakers that was mounted on the ceiling of its outdoor seating area. As the public entertainment licence possessed by the outlet does not permit for recorded music to be transmitted outside of its indoor premises, the outlet’s operator is being investigated for contravening public entertainment licensing conditions under the Public Entertainments Act 1958.
The offences of providing public entertainment without a valid licence and supplying liquor without a valid licence each carry a fine of up to $20,000, while the offence of contravening public entertainment licensing conditions carries a fine not exceeding $10,000. For non-compliance with safe distancing measures under 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 and agencies will continue to carry out enforcement operations at public entertainment outlets to suppress illicit activities. Notwithstanding the easing of COVID-19 measures, members of the public and businesses are advised to remain vigilant and continue to take the prevailing SMMs 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.
Public entertainment outlet along Circular Road
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
13 May 2022 @ 10:20 PM