Licence Revocation Actions Against Outlets that Repeatedly Flout Egregious COVID-19 Restrictions

All licensees holding public entertainment (PE) and liquor licences must fully comply with the requirements under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 and the Workplace Safety and Health (COVID-19 Safe Workplace) Regulations 2021 (WSH Regulations 2021).  Operators who do not do so may face a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both, for the first offence.  Higher penalties of a fine of not exceeding $20,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both, will apply for subsequent offences.

2. All licensees are reminded that all requirements under the Public Entertainments Act and Liquor Control (Supply & Consumption) Act, the rules and regulations made thereunder, and all licensing conditions imposed, must also be strictly complied with at all times.

3. In addition, any non-compliance with the relevant laws, including the said public health laws, may also result in further regulatory action, including but not limited to prosecution and revocation/non-renewal of the PE and liquor licences.  Between June 2021 to date, Police had already revoked 9 PE licences and 17 liquor licences of operators who had repeatedly breached egregious safe management measures under the public health laws; please refer to Annex A for the details of the past Police news releases. 

Annex A – Past Police News Releases On Licence Revocation of Errant Outlets That Flouted Egregious Safe Measurement Measures Repeatedly

• Police Revoke Public Entertainment And Liquor Licences Of Nine Nightlife And F&B Establishments (12 February 2022)
• Police Revoked Public Entertainment And Liquor Licences Of Eight Nightlife And F&B Establishments (10 October 2021)

Advisory on CO2 Monitoring

As Singapore transitions into COVID-19 endemicity and with the easing of safe management measures (SMMs), it is important for premises managers to continue taking active steps to ensure good ventilation in indoor spaces so as to mitigate the risk of disease transmission, both now and in preparation for the next COVID-19 wave.

2. NEA, BCA and MOH have prepared an advisory note to guide premises managers on how carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring can be used as a proxy for ventilation adequacy, so that they can quickly detect under-ventilated spaces and to carry out timely ventilation measures, where necessary.

3. The advisory note targets the following premises with higher risk of aerosol transmission and/or vulnerable groups, in particular those with enclosed, air-conditioned indoor environment, where ensuring good ventilation is especially important:

• Hospitals and clinics
• Eldercare facilities, including nursing homes and day activity centres
• Establishments with food and drinks served on-site (include food establishments, event venues, function rooms, nightlife establishments, karaoke establishments etc.)
• Gyms and fitness studios

4. The advisory note, which has been published on NEA’s website.

Guidance Note on Improving Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality in Buildings Amid the Covid-19 Situation

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA), National Environment Agency (NEA) and Ministry of Health (MOH) have issued a Guidance Note to building owners and facilities managers with recommended measures to enhance ventilation and air quality in indoor spaces amid the current COVID-19 situation and resurgence of community cases.

2. Please refer to the following link for the joint Guidance Note issued on 25 May 2021:https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/public-cleanliness/environmental-cleaning-guidelines/advisories/guidance-on-improving-ventilation-and-indoor-air-quality-in-buildings-amid-the-covid-19-situation

3. Licensees are strongly encouraged to implement the recommended measures in the Guidance Note to improve ventilation and air cleaning in their premises, for their own safety and the safety of their customers.

The different categories of Public Entertainment, types of Public Entertainment licence and accompanying fees can be found here.

Under the Public Entertainments Exemptions Orders¹, certain events or activities are exempted from a Public Entertainment licence or Arts Entertainment² licence, respectively, if a stipulated set of conditions is met. In addition, specific events/activities that are exempted require the organiser to notify the Police at least 7 days before the event/activity may be carried out.

For information on exemption from a Public Entertainment licence, click here

If you require the notifications forms, please select the appropriate forms below;

• Notification Form A
• Notification Form B
• Notification Form C

¹ Public Entertainments and Meetings (Exemptions) Order and Public Entertainments (Specified Arts Entertainment) (Exemption) Order 2005.

² The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) regulates AE.

To be eligible for a Public Entertainment licence, the following criteria must be met:

1. The applicant must satisfy the criteria and requirements published by the Licensing Officer*;
2. The premises that would provide the public entertainment must be in an approved place, i.e. it must also meet the requirements under Section 2(3) of the Public Entertainments Act.

* For more information, please refer to : “Guidelines on the criteria and requirements for a person to be fit and proper to hold a public entertainment licence"

Responsibility of the Organiser

As the organiser, you are to conduct your event in a socially responsible manner and ensure that it does not cause any danger or undue alarm to the general public. Due considerations are to be taken to ensure all aspects of public safety, security, law and order are not compromised in the organisation of and during the event, and that the event activities do not contravene any legislation. If in doubt, you should seek your own legal counsel.

Sunk Investment Not Ground For Grant of Licence

Sunk investments e.g. renovation, purchase of equipment, rental of premises are not grounds for a licence to be granted. You should ensure that you have obtained the necessary Public Entertainment licence/ approval before starting renovation works or use the premises. Hence, you should consider the financial commitment to your business carefully if a licence/exemption has yet been granted. The following highlights two important considerations that you should take note before submitting an application to operate a Public Entertainment outlet.

• Suitability of Location

Existence of Public Entertainment outlets in the vicinity of a proposed location does not automatically indicate that your application would be approved as other factors such as the law and order situation are taken into consideration when assessing your application.

• Processing Fees by URA and HDB 

Processing fees charged by URA and HDB (if applicable) for the planning permission or approval granted does not guarantee the approval of your Public Entertainment licence.

Category 1

Category 2

Category 3

Category 4

With effect from 10 August 2021, golf simulator centres are exempted from applying for a public entertainment licence if such a centre is able to fulfil a set of pre-determined conditions under Order 3(9E) of the Public Entertainments (Exemptions) Order.

Applicants may wish to note that a new Public Entertainment licence is unlikely to be granted at the following locations. This is to manage the number of Public Entertainment establishments and mitigate law and order concerns in the areas:

1. Orchard Towers
2. Orchard Plaza
3. Cuppage Plaza
4. Parklane Shopping Mall
5. Geylang
6. Joo Chiat

A Public Entertainment licence is also unlikely to be granted at the following Historic Conservation Areas because URA intends to maintain the character and ambience of these areas.

1. Chinatown
2. Little India
3. Kampong Glam
4. Boat Quay
5. Blair Plain
6. Cairnhill
7. Emerald Hill

You can request for a replacement copy of your existing Public Entertainment licence in person at Police Licensing & Regulatory Department.

You will need to pay $11.00 for each new copy.

New and Renew

You may submit a new public entertainment licence (establishment licence or ad-hoc licence) or renew your existing public entertainment licence here.

Amend Licence Details

You may make the following amendments to your existing Public Entertainment licence:

1. Company Name (*Should the UEN change, you will have to apply for a new liquor licence.)
2. Downgrade & Upgrade of Category
3. Establishment Name
4. Extend or Reduce the premises
5. Key Appointment Holders
6. Licensee
7. Mailing Address
8. Operating Hours

Cancel Licence

You may cancel your existing Public Entertainment Licence any time before its expiration.

Please be informed that there will be no refund of the licence fees upon cancellation of the existing Public Entertainment licence, as stipulated under the Public Entertainments and Meetings Rules.

Withdrawal

You may withdraw your applications for any Public Entertainment licence at any time before the licence is approved.

If the licence has been approved and issued, you will no longer be able to withdraw it and you will need to make a request to cancel the licence.

You are required to obtain the following documents before applying for any Public Entertainment licence.

1. Planning permission URA, SLA or HDB on the land use of the premises; and
2. Registry of Societies certificate (if applicable, when applying on behalf of societies).

Approximately 3 weeks from the receipt of the application and the necessary supporting documents (if required). Any incomplete or incorrect submission will be rejected.

You will be notified of the outcome via SMS, email and post. Alternatively, you may login to GoBusiness Licensing to view your application status.

You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage which will require you to sign in using your SingPass

If you require assistance or guidance on the GoBusiness portal, please contact their helpdesk at (+65) 6774 1430 or email licences-helpdesk@crimsonlogic.com.sg

The process may take around 15-20 minutes to complete.

APPLY

Licensees may wish to note that the accumulation of demerit points may result in the following regulatory action(s) to be taken:

*Calculated according to Rule 6 of the Public Entertainments (Demerit Points) Rules 2017

The payment for Notice of Composition offence may be made online via “link”. Please login using your Singpass and quote the “notice number” (example: IF/2021XXXX/0001) found on the top right corner of the Notice of Composition.

• Best Practices Handbook
• Guidelines on Noise Mitigation for Foodshops
• Guidelines on Noise Mitigation for Entertainment Outlets

GoBusiness is the go-to platform for businesses in Singapore to access Government e-services and resources, including applying for a public entertainment licence.

If you require assistance or guidance on the GoBusiness portal, please contact their helpdesk at (+65) 6774 1430 or email licences-helpdesk@crimsonlogic.com.sg

• Public Entertainment Act
• Public Entertainment (Demerit Points) Rules 2017
• Public Entertainment (Appeal Board Proceedings) Rules 2017