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Following an anti-crime operation by the Singapore police, 20 women have been arrested for allegedly participating in vice-related activities at KTV lounges.

The anti-crime operation was conducted along South Bridge Road, Selegie Road and Geylang Road on July 13.

The women are aged from 20 to 34, and are of Korean, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese nationalities.

The women were involved at three KTV lounges that had pivoted towards F&B businesses.

They will be investigated for alleged offences under the Women’s Charter, the Immigration Act, and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.

KTV operators under investigation

Investigations are also ongoing against the three KTV operators for breaching Covid-19 safe management measures.

These operators had allegedly provided hostessing services at their premises, with one outlet allegedly providing dice games.

Nightlife establishments previously grounded to a halt during the pandemic, and activities like dice games are prohibited under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.

Additionally, the Singapore Food Agency will be looking into revoking the food licences of operators found to have committed "egregious breaches" of safe management measures.

Should an establishment lose their food license, they are required to cease operations with immediate effect until they re-apply for a new food license and it is approved.

The police said they will be increasing checks on such outlets and also stepping up enforcement against vice and other illegal activities.

Those convicted of breaching safe distancing measures may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

41 cases from KTV cluster today

Earlier today, it was reported that 41 of the 60 new Covid-19 cases were from the emerging KTV cluster.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung urged those who had interacted with any staff or patrons at any KTV lounges to step forward for free Covid-19 testing.

Previously on July 13, three KTV lounges were closed for two weeks after Covid-19 cases emerged among its Vietnamese social hostesses.

Testing operations were also carried out for all staff of these lounges.

It is uncertain if these three lounges are the lounges that the 20 women arrested were working at.

Top photo by Andrew Koay (for illustrative purposes)