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A few retail outlets are still not allowed to resume operations during Phase 2.

This includes those in the entertainment industry, such as popular karaoke chain Teo Heng KTV, which was forced to close since March due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Teo Heng closing seven outlets, including Katong Shopping Centre outlet

However, after months of closure, Teo Heng KTV cannot hold up anymore.

According to a report by Chinese evening newspaper Shin Min Daily News, the founder of Teo Heng KTV, Jackson Teo, said that they are planning to close half of the outlets that it currently has.

Teo Heng will be closing seven out of 14 outlets gradually, starting with their very first outlet at Katong Shopping Centre, which has operated for 30 years and the other outlet at Sembawang.

They have moved out the karaoke systems and equipment from the Katong outlet and will be clearing the ones at Sembawang soon as the leases for both outlets are due this August.

Speaking to Shin Min, Teo repeatedly described the current predicament as "terrible".

Hopes remaining seven outlets can operate in six months' time

Teo also said that the company hopes the remaining seven outlets can resume operation in six months' time. If that's the case, the company will be able to start anew and recoup the losses.

He feared that the seven outlets will not be able to operate after six months, which is the worst-case scenario and he will have to "resign to fate".

Teo had also planned to gather up to S$1,000,000 of funding to tide through this difficult period so that his 30 years of hard work will not be in vain.

Teo started Teo Heng KTV 30 years ago out of his passion for music. He started with only five rooms at Katong Shopping Centre in 1989.

In April, Teo's karaoke chain was incurring up to S$500,000 losses after a month-long closure. Back then, he still stood by his staff members and continued to pay them salaries.

Top image via Teo Heng's Facebook and Google Maps/Kenneth Lopez