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The Singapore Police Force (SPF) are investigating a total of 88 individuals for multiple offences, following an island-wide enforcement checks on massage establishment and public entertainment outlets.
In a statement on Aug. 10, the police said it had conducted enforcement checks on 92 massage establishments and 23 public entertainment outlets between Aug. 2 and 8.
As part of the operations, the police had raided four unlicensed KTV-concept outlets at Ubi Avenue 3, Kaki Bukit Road, 1 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh and Desker Road.
SPF said they are investigating 42 individuals found in the premises for alleged breaches of the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
Among them, four men and a woman, aged between 18 to 31, are being investigated for the alleged offences under the Public Entertainments Act and Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act, for their suspected involvement in managing these unlicensed public entertainment outlets.
Ubi Ave 3
Kaki Bukit Road 1
Kaki Bukit Road 1
Lor 8 Toa Payoh
Lor 8 Toa Payoh
Massage establishments given 10-day closure order
During the operation, a total of 24 massage establishments were believed to have committed various breaches under under the Massage Establishments Act and Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
The police said investigations on 46 individuals, comprising of operators, masseuses and customers are ongoing.
In the statement, the police said at four of these establishments, they had found masseuses and customers allegedly not wearing a mask during their massage services.
A 10-day closure order and a fine of S$1,000 have been issued against these massage establishments, whereas the customers will be fined S$300 each for breaching safe management measures, it added.
SPF advised individuals, businesses to take safe management measures seriously
The police also said they have been consistently taking enforcement actions at massage establishments and public entertainment outlets to suppress vice and illicit activities.
They also advised members of the public and businesses 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," the statement added.
Under Section 5(1) of the Massage Establishments Act, those found carrying on a business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a valid license shall be fined S$10,000, face imprisonment of up two years, or both.
For repeat offenders, the offence carries a fine not exceeding S$20,000, imprisonment of up five years, or both.
Under Section 35 of the Massage Establishments Act, those found to have breached the regulations may be subjected to a fine not exceeding S$5,000.
For repeat offenders, the offence carries a fine not exceeding S$10,000 or 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, offenders 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, carry a fine of up to S$20,000 each.
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Top images from Singapore Police Force