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SINGAPORE: Teo Heng karaoke chain will pay its 120 employees only half of their salaries this month, after having held out since late March with no income.
But Ms Jean Teo, one of its directors, is hopeful that the pay cut will be temporary: “When we can reopen, we will pay them the balance 50 percent, as much as we can… if we can get by, I could even give them a bonus “.
The chain known for its affordable prices has closed two of its 14 locations, including its first store in Katong, which opened in 1989. Previous media reports had said that Teo Heng could close up to seven of its branches.
“The greater the uncertainty … the more outlets we would have to close,” said Teo.
Teo Heng manager Jean Teo at the Ci Yuan Community Club store.
READ: Nightlife industry is ‘higher risk’ environment, activities unlikely to resume even at the beginning of Phase 3: Lawrence Wong
While some nightspots have managed to reinvent themselves and reopen as food and beverage outlets, there is no end in sight for the karaoke businesses CNA spoke to. Due to licensing, zoning and regulation issues, not all venues can pivot successfully, they told CNA.
Simon Sim, a member of the Singapore Entertainment Affiliation committee, said they felt “abandoned” as the rest of the economy reopens. He had to close his KTV outlet, Karaoke Times, in City Square Mall and owns three pubs that are still closed.
“The entertainment industry feels neglected, we are worse than a foreign worker,” he said.
READ: Lights off, music stops: pubs still closed, karaoke venues call for help amid COVID-19 pandemic
On Tuesday night (October 20), Education Minister Lawrence Wong said the nightlife industry is unlikely to resume even after Singapore enters Phase 3 of its reopening, which could happen before the end of the year.
Activities such as singing and dancing in a room with loud music “are known to be higher risk,” said Mr. Wong, who co-chairs the COVID-19 multi-ministry task force.
“We have seen in many other countries where large groups explode in these kinds of settings,” he said.
He added that the government could consider reopening some nightlife businesses on a trial basis, with “much stricter” safe management measures.
“We will discuss with the nightlife industry how some of these pilots can be carried out,” he said.
READ: 12 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, all imported
Ms Teo from Teo Heng hopes that family-friendly karaoke chains like hers will be considered for tryouts. She suggested singing with masks, wearing disposable gloves, and limiting client hours and other safety measures.
“Even when we can open for next year, I don’t think the revenue is enough to cover our costs, but it will help us lighten the rent burden,” he said.
Jonathan Zhang, who runs HaveFun Karaoke, said the company has already submitted a number of ideas to authorities and is eager for approval to move forward.
These include using their karaoke rooms for private movie screenings, board games, or other activities.
“We are not begging. We just need clarity … in what circumstances can we operate?” he said.
A room in HaveFun’s new NEX location. (Photo: HaveFun)
The company had just completed renovations at two new outlets, which are now empty, when COVID-19 hit, it said.
“It looks like we are taking the full brunt of this.”
Education Minister Mr. Wong has said there will be measures to help commercial operators and owners get out, transit and switch to new areas, but details have yet to be announced.
Mr Ronald Ng, Chairman of Singapore Entertainment Affiliation, said that most operators in the karaoke industry would like the government to support them “in hibernation” rather than go out of business.
“We hope that the Government can… help both the owner and the tenants to preserve their businesses in times of crisis. We can anticipate that going out of business will lead to more business problems and higher unemployment. “
