Closure of Public Entertainment Venues and Suspension of Events
On 24 March 2020, the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (“Taskforce”) on COVID-19 announced that stricter safe distancing measures would be implemented to minimise exposure to Covid-19 and significantly reduce the risks of local transmission.
All bars and entertainment venues such as nightclubs and cinemas would be closed as there is a higher risk of transmission in such venues due to sustained close contact over a period of time. In addition, all events or gatherings involving more than 10 persons would be prohibited. These enhanced measures took effect from 26 March 2020 2359 hours and will last till 30 April 2020, and may be extended if the situation does not improve.
On 26 March 2020, the Infectious Diseases (Measures to Prevent Spread of COVID-19) Regulations 2020 (the “Regulations”) came into force.
Under the Regulations, Public Entertainment (“PE”) operators and event organisers are required to comply with the following measures from 27 March to 30 April 2020 (both dates inclusive):
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Type of PE Outlet/Activity |
Measure |
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a. F&B Outlets Outlets with the following food shop licence types issued by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA)#:
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Outlets with these food shop licence types issued by SFA may continue to operate as a F&B outlet, provided that there is no provision of PE of any kind. These are assessed to be outlets where the sale of F&B is the primary function, even if such outlets also have PE licences for various types of PE, or are exempted from requiring a licence to provide certain PE (e.g. recorded music). All safe distancing measures required by law must be put in place during these outlets’ hours of operations. |
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b. PE Outlets Outlets that do not hold the food shop licence types stated in (a), but hold a PE licence with any of the following approved use*:
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These outlets are prohibited from providing any goods, entertainment or services according to Reg 3(1)(f). |
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c. Other PE Outlets Category 3 PE licensed premises:
This includes the following types of outlets under the PE (Exemptions) Order:
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These outlets are prohibited from providing/holding any public entertainment activities, according to Reg 3(1)(d).
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d. PE Events
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To defer or cancel, regardless of size of event.
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# Operators should check against their food shop licence issued by the SFA.
* Operators should check their premises’ approved use against the planning permission issued by the appropriate planning authority.
The penalty for an offence under the Regulations is a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both.
Social responsibility is critical to stopping the spread of the virus. We urge all PE licensees and operators to do their part in the fight against COVID-19.
A Public Entertainment or Arts Entertainment licence is required (unless exempted; click here) for any entertainment that is provided in any place to which the public has access.
The information on this page is a guide to apply for a new licence or to renew any existing Public Entertainment licence.
To be eligible for a Public Entertainment licence, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a fit and proper person e.g. free from criminal records
- Be a Singapore Citizen, a Singapore Permanent Resident or possess a valid work permit or employment pass if you are a foreigner
- Be at least a committee member if you are applying on behalf of societies registered with the Registry of Societies
- Be a director of the company, a partner of the Partnership, Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships or the sole proprietor
- Register the company/business with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority
Details of the different categories and types of Public Entertainment licence and fees can be found here.
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Type |
Activity |
Licensing Conditions |
Guidelines |
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Establishment licence |
Nightclubs, cabarets, discotheques, bars, lounges and other public houses (with noise protocol)
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Click here |
Click here |
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Nightclubs, cabarets, discotheques, bars, lounges and other public houses (with noise protocol and CCTV)
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Click here |
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Bars, lounges and other public houses (with noise protocol)
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Click here |
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Amusement centre
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Click here |
Click here |
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Billiard saloon
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Click here |
Click here |
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Computer games centre
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Click here |
Click here |
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Shop operating crane/ game machines
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Click here |
Click here |
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Paintball centre
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Click here |
Not applicable |
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Ad-hoc licence |
Examples: Transmission of recorded music without dancing by customers, performances involving music, singing or dancing as well as providing game machine
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Click here |
Click here |
You are required to obtain the following documents before applying for any Public Entertainment licence.
- Approval from HDB (if supplying liquor at the premises);
- Planning permission on the land use of the premise from URA, SLA or HDB; and
- Registry of Societies certificate (if applying on behalf of societies).
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 investments e.g. renovation, purchase of equipment, rental of premise 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.
- Charging of Processing Fees by URA and HDB
Although processing fees will be charged by URA and HDB for their planning permission/approval (where applicable), the planning permission/approval granted by these authorities does not guaranteethe approval of your Public Entertainment licence.
About 12 working days 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 can 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 or CorpPass.
The process may take around 15-20 minutes to complete.
The information on this page is a guide to amend information in an existing Public Entertainment licence.
You can make the following amendments to your existing Public Entertainment licence:
- Company Name
- Downgrade & Upgrade of Category
- Establishment Name
- Extend or Reduce the Premises
- Key Appointment Holders
- Licensee
- Mailing Address
- Operating Hours
You are required to obtain the following documents before amending your existing Public Entertainment licence.
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Information to be Amended |
Documents Requirements |
Fees |
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Company Name |
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$22.00 per application
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Downgrade & Upgrade of Category* *Only applicable for Nightspots such as bar, cabaret/ nightclub, cafe, discotheque, KTV lounge, lounge, pub, restaurant or snack bar |
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Establishment Name |
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Extend/Reduce the premises |
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Key Appointment Holders* *Contact Person/ Director/ Partner/ Sole-Proprietor/ Owner |
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No fee is required |
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Licensee |
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$44.00 per application |
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Mailing Address |
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No fee is required |
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Change of Operating Hours |
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$22.00 per application
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About 12 working days (except for change of mailing address1) from the receipt of the application and the necessary 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 can login to GoBusiness to view your application status.
1Change of mailing address will be updated within 2 working days.
You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage which will require you to sign in using your SingPass or CorpPass.
The process may take around 15-20 minutes to complete.
The information on this page is a guide to cancel existing Public Entertainment licence.
You are permitted to cancel your existing Public Entertainment licence any time before its expiration.
Please be informed that there will be no refund upon cancellation of the existing Public Entertainment licence.
No document is required.
No fee is required.
About 12 working days from the submission of your Cancellation Request.
You will be notified of the outcome via SMS, email and post. Alternatively, you can 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 or CorpPass.
The process may take around 10 minutes to complete.
The information on this page is a guide to withdraw application for any Public Entertainment licence.
You can withdraw your applications for any Public Entertainment licence any time before licence approval.
If licence has been approved and issued, you will have to submit a request to cancel licence.
No document is required.
No fee is required.
Immediate upon the receipt of your Withdrawal Request.
You will be directed to GoBusiness Licensing webpage which will require you to sign in using your SingPass or CorpPass.
The process may take around 10 minutes to complete.
Locations where Public Entertainment licences are unlikely to be granted
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 Pubic Entertainment establishments and mitigate law and order concerns in these 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
Licensees may wish to note that the accumulation of demerit points may result in the following regulatory action(s) to be taken:
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Accumulated DPs* |
Description of Regulatory Actions |
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At least 15 |
1-hour licence hours curtailment for a period of one month |
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At least 18 |
2-hour licence hours curtailment for a period of one month |
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At least 21 |
Suspension of licence for a period of one month |
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At least 24 |
Cancellation of licence |
*Calculated according to Rule 6 of the Public Entertainments (Demerit Points) Rules 2017
The information on this page shows additional information related to Public Entertainment licence.
If you are familiar with the application requirements and wish to apply now, please click here to proceed. SingPass or CorpPass is required for login to GoBusiness Licensing.
You will need to have the infringement number before making payment, which will require you to login using SingPass or CorpPass. The whole process may take about 10 mins. Click here to make payment.
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.
Address: 391 New Bridge Road Block D
#02-701
Police Cantonment Complex
Singapore 088762
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday (closed on Public Holidays)
8.30am to 5.30pm (last Q-ticket is issued at 5.00pm)