20 women arrested for suspected vice-related activities

Twenty women have been arrested for suspected involvement in vice-related activities at three KTV lounges operating as food and beverage outlets.

This followed an enforcement blitz in South Bridge Road, Selegie Road and Geylang Road on Tuesday.

The women are aged between 20 and 34, the police said in a statement yesterday. They are South Korean, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese.

The women will be investigated for offences under the Women's Charter, the Immigration Act, and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.

"Investigations against the three pivoted KTV operators are ongoing for breach of safe management measures under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, as the operators had allegedly provided hostessing services within their premises," the police said.

One of the outlets had allegedly provided dice games, which are prohibited under the regulations.

The Singapore Food Agency will look into revoking the food licences of operators found to have committed egregious breaches of safe management measures, the statement added.

For non-compliance with safe distancing measures, offenders can be jailed for up to six months, fined up to $10,000, or both.

The police said checks on compliance with safe dis-tancing and enforcement against illegal activities will be stepped up.