By Petulia Clarke, Staff ReporterTHE KINGSTON and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) said it will be clamping down on massage parlours which are in breach of public health regulations, as soon as it devises a system to have them licensed and regulated.
Councillors at yesterday's Public Health and Disaster Preparedness meeting decided that anyone operating such an establishment must be granted a permit certifying them as fit to give that service, or be labelled illegal.
The 'handlers' permit' would follow the same guidelines as that issued to barbers and hairdressers, followed by inspections to ensure that they meet public health standards.
The debate followed a question by councillor Gareth Walker of the Brandon Hill Division, who enquired whether there was any system in place to inspect massage parlours which have been increasingly introduced as a service in the Corporate Area.
PROTECTION
His concern was that the parlours - which provide massages and some sexual services - are well attended and there should be some protection for persons who attend them.
In fact, Deputy Mayor Lee Clarke and others recounted that they had received complaints from residents about loud noise and numerous cars moving in and out of the residential communities of Red Hills Gardens and Liguanea in the Corporate Area.
Yesterday councillors expressed concern that the type of service offered could result, for example, in skin abrasions and person to person virus transmission.
But, Senior Public Health Inspector Calvin Johns said however that there was no specific programme for inspection in place and that the Public Health Department would give this more attention.
He suggested that the KSAC handle the granting of licences, after which his department would inspect for compliance.
However, other councillors questioned whether the parlours were identifiable and registered, as the KSAC would be powerless to act otherwise.
If the parlours operate from private residences - and many do - the KSAC has no authority, other than prosecution under the change of premises allowance on which to act.
