The Police are investigating 99 persons following island-wide enforcement operations on 192 massage establishments and 91 public entertainment and nightlife outlets between 19 August and 24 September 2021.
Checks on Massage Establishments
A total of 32 massage establishments were found to have committed breaches under the Massage Establishments Act, the Massage Establishments Rules 2018 and the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
Of these 32 massage establishments, 25 were also allegedly found to be operating without a valid license, while masseuses were found to be purportedly offering or providing sexual services within the premises of 12 of these 25 establishments. Additionally, 23 women, aged between 22 and 47, were arrested for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act and the Women’s Charter. Preliminary investigations revealed that the women had allegedly provided sexual services within the massage establishments.
Police officers had also found masseuses and customers allegedly not wearing a mask during the provision of massage services at two of these premises. The massage establishments will be issued a 10-day closure order and a fine of $1,000 for failure to ensure that all staff and customers wear a mask within the licensed premises. The customers are also liable for a fine of $300 for not wearing a mask outside their ordinary place of residence.
Investigations against 61 persons, comprising operators, masseuses and customers are ongoing.
Checks on Public Entertainment and Nightlife Outlets
A total of 10 licensed and unlicensed public entertainment and nightlife outlets were found to have committed various breaches under the Public Entertainments Act, the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015 and the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
In one of the cases that occurred on 24 September, six South Korean women, aged between 23 and 31, were arrested for employment-related offences. The Police conducted a joint operation with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) at an F&B outlet located along Media Circle, in response to information received on the provision of hostesses. During the raid, the six women were allegedly found to have provided companionship to customers in return for the purchase of drinks at the outlet, for which they would earn commission. They were arrested for working without a valid work permit under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
Four of the women, together with ten other persons found within the outlet, will also be investigated by SFA for alleged breaches of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020 by exceeding the permitted size of social gatherings. The F&B outlet’s operator will be investigated for breaches that include failing to minimise interactions between staff, visitors and customers; failing to ensure safe distancing of at least 1 metre between seated customers; and failing to put in place measures to enable contact tracing of every customer and visitor.
Investigations against 38 persons, comprising operators, staff members and customers, are ongoing.
Offences and Penalties
Individuals found guilty of carrying on a business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a valid license under Section 5(1) of the Massage Establishments Act are liable to a fine of $10,000, imprisonment term of up two years, or both. Repeat offenders of the Massage Establishments Act are liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000, imprisonment term of up to five years, or both. Those found to have breached the prescribed rules and conditions under the Massage Establishment Rules 2018 are liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000. Individuals who are repeat offenders are liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment term not exceeding two years, or both.
For non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, individuals found guilty may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both. The offences of supplying liquor without a valid license and providing public entertainment without a valid license, each carry a fine of up to $20,000.
The Police will continue to carry out regular enforcement checks on massage establishments and public entertainment outlets to suppress vice and other illicit activities. 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
02 October 2021 @ 12:15 PM