Another pimp said: “We will have to wait till around 20 something of April to know whether the date will be extended.”
In addition to the temporary closure of the legal brothels, the anti-vice police squad limits the movement of the working ladies to the vicinities of brothels even when they are not working.
Despite being faced with the prospect of no income for the next month or for possibly longer, few of the ladies working in such brothels will opt to leave the country, due to the hassle of the departure procedures involving the cancellation of the permit issued by the Anti-Vice Department.
Furthermore, once they exit the country, there is no assurance that they can ever return to the country due to the existing policy on former legal sex workers.
According to the operators, there has not been any mention of assistance to their business or employees.
Pimps, despite being Singaporeans, are not eligible for any wage support, as the brothels are not licensed business and they do not draw a monthly pay.
The closure of entertainment venues is a part of a suite of stricter measures rolled out by the Government to ensure safe distancing in a bid to prevent further transmission of COVID-19 in Singapore.
Gatherings outside of work and school are now limited to 10 persons or fewer. Organisers and attendees are required to maintain physical distancing of at least one metre between individuals in settings where interactions are non-transient.
Other public venues such as retail malls, museums and attractions, where contact is more transient, may remain open, but with additional restrictions.