Keep 'health spas' out of residential areas

Keep 'health spas' out of residential areas

SINGAPORE - In the past, they were known as massage parlours. Then they became health centres. Nowadays, they are known as health spas.

What goes on behind closed doors at these places is anyone's guess, but judging from the advertisements featuring pretty girls and phrases like "private room with attached bath", there is always the suspicion that they are just a front for vice activities.

While I have no problem if these centres operate in non-residential areas, I am disturbed by the number of such health spas sprouting up in residential areas, many within walking distance of schools and childcare centres. In one neighbourhood centre, there are three or four such outlets, some operating round the clock.

Recently, I walked past one such outlet and saw mostly foreign women working there. On what basis were they given their work passes?

I urge the authorities to relocate such establishments to non-residential areas, and for the licensing body to be more stringent and perhaps license all outlets that provide massage services.

Albert Wong Kwan Wei


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