Police raid Sims Avenue massage parlour, arrest 2 for alleged vice-related activities, Singapore News

Regulations on massage parlours tightened

Earlier in April, the police announced that they are ending licensing exemptions for massage establishments as a new set of regulations come into effect from the second half of this year.

This means that open-concept massage establishments — presently exempted from licensing — will soon need to comply with “fit and proper” requirements under a new “Category 3” licensing regime.

Category 1 licences are granted to those which operate in HDB shop houses, shopping centres and hotels, while Category 2 licences are given to those operating away from residential areas, schools and places of worship.

The requirements include ensuring that rooms, partitions or cubicles are not set up within the establishment, and obtaining land use approval from HDB and Urban Redevelopment Authority before the premises can be used as an open-concept massage establishment.

Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said at that time that he welcomed the move, adding that his ministry and its agencies are supportive of the new measures.

He pledged that HDB officers will work closely with the police to clamp down on errant establishments that do not comply with regulations and provide illicit services.

Chee also warned such operators that HDB has the authority to terminate the tenancies of those found to be complicit in vice-related activities.

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editor@asiaone.com