New rules for massage parlours to take effect Dec 1, existing open-concept operators given one-year grace period

All licensed massage establishments, including Category 3 operators, must ensure that their employees are not indecently dressed on the premises.

RISE IN VICE-RELATED ACTIVITIES

The tightening of regulations comes after police observed a rise in vice-related activities and infringements of exemption conditions in open-concept massage parlours, alongside a steady increase in public unhappiness, SPF said in April.

“Since January this year, HDB has taken action on 26 cases involving vice activities across both sold and rental shops. This includes working with sold shop owners to evict errant operators and terminating the tenancy of a rental shop,” Mr Chee wrote.

“Our heartlands are home to families and communities, and we will ensure they remain a safe environment for all. We will continue to work closely with SPF to weed out such undesirable activities from our neighbourhoods.”

Before the changes, massage establishments were grouped into two licence categories. 

Category 1 licences were granted to those operating in HDB shophouses, shopping centres and hotels, while Category 2 licences were for shops located away from residential areas, schools and places of worship.

Open-concept massage establishments have been exempt from licensing since 2018, and only have to comply with exemption conditions such as registering with the police and ensuring that there are no rooms, partitions or cubicles in their premises that would allow massage services to be administered in private.

Those convicted of operating a massage establishment without a valid licence may face a fine of up to S$10,000, up to two years’ jail or both.

For a second or subsequent conviction, offenders may be fined up to S$20,000, jailed for up to five years, or both.

“The police will conduct regular compliance checks and take enforcement action against operators who breach the regulatory requirements.”