The Singapore Police Force is terminating licensing exemptions to curb rising vice concerns among previously exempted businesses. Open-concept operators must now obtain a Category 3 licence, pass fit and proper assessments, receive land use approval, and keep all massage areas fully visible. All massage establishments across Categories 1, 2, and 3 will also be required to display standardized police-issued shopfront posters featuring licensing details and a public reporting link. Operators who fail to adhere to these strict new standards face criminal penalties, including fines up to S$10,000 and two years of imprisonment.
Key points
Police are ending previous regulatory exemptions after detecting a notable increase in vi…: Police are ending previous regulatory exemptions after detecting a notable increase in vice-related activities within open-concept parlours.
All licensed establishments across every category must put up police-issued shopfront pos…: All licensed establishments across every category must put up police-issued shopfront posters showing licence details and feedback channels.
Category 1 and 2 operators are no longer required to seek advance police approval for sta…: Category 1 and 2 operators are no longer required to seek advance police approval for staff uniforms that satisfy set dress standards.
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Open-concept massage parlours will no longer be exempt from licences under the new regulations, the Singapore Police Force said.
SINGAPORE: Open-concept massage parlours will be required to obtain licences, while all massage establishments must display police-issued posters on their shopfronts under new regulations taking effect on Dec 1.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed on Thursday (Nov 5) that the changes, first announced in April, would take effect on Dec 1, with a one-year grace period for existing open-concept operators to transition.
Under the new regulations, open-concept massage parlours will no longer be exempt from licences and must obtain a new Category 3 licence.
“Anyone who wishes to operate an open-concept massage establishment (OME) must apply for a licence and undergo a fit and proper assessment before a licence may be granted,” police said.
“Under this new regime, existing and new open-concept massage establishment operators will need to obtain land use approval from Housing & Development Board (HDB) or Urban Redevelopment Authority depending on whether they operate in HDB or private premises,” Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said…
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