(21 August 2020) To ensure better crowd management and the safety of visitors and businesses during peak periods, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG) have worked with management of Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza to implement odd and even date entry restrictions on weekends with effect from 29 August 2020. This is aimed at strengthening existing safe management measures in these two malls with high-traffic, by limiting entry based on the last digit of the identification number for each visitor.

Existing safe management measures at Lucky Plaza & Peninsula Plaza

Since the start of Phase 2, STB and ESG have deployed additional Enforcement Officers (EOs) and Safe Distancing Ambassadors (SDAs) to ensure compliance with safe management measures, including crowd management, temperature taking and maintaining 1m safe distancing between individuals. These include daily checks at businesses and precincts, including shopping malls.

However, there are persistent challenges in managing crowds and ensuring safe distancing at some malls. Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza, in particular, attract larger crowds and longer queues to enter over a sustained period especially on weekends, compared to other malls. (All malls must comply with the occupancy limit of one person per 10sqm of Gross Floor Area)

Both malls typically reach their maximum occupancy limit by noon on Sundays, and long queues will form at the entrances, which disrupt pedestrian flow and cause large crowds to spill over to the main thoroughfare. Members of the public also congregate outside the malls, further disrupting the pedestrian flow.

STB and ESG have worked with both malls to improve the flow and demarcation of queues. Neighbouring malls have also been engaged to help disperse crowds which congregate outside their malls, by cordoning off public seating and stepping up patrols.

Additional measures required to reduce crowds

In order to further reduce crowds, the mall management of Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza will implement entry restrictions, based on the last digit of a visitor’s National Registration Identification Card (NRIC) or Foreign Identification Number (FIN). This will take effect from 29 August 2020 and will only be in place on Saturdays and Sundays.

Those whose NRIC/FIN numbers end in even digits (0,2,4,6,8) can only visit the two malls on even dates, while those whose numbers end in odd digits (1,3,5,7,9) can only visit on the odd dates. All visitors will be required to produce appropriate identification (such as an NRIC or a work pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower) at the entrance of these malls for verification. Those who are unable to do so will be denied entry. Please refer to Annex A for more information.

STB and ESG will continue to explore other longer-term measures to reduce the crowds at both malls. These include stepping up public education and intensifying enforcement efforts where required.

Ranita Sundramoorthy, Director for Retail and Dining, STB said: “While we encourage everyone to go out and support our local businesses, our key priority is the health and safety of the public. As such, we will continue to work closely with mall management to ensure that they implement the necessary safe management measures, especially during peak periods. We urge everyone to do their part to ensure that our malls can continue to operate safely.”

Alan Yeo, Director for Retail and Design, ESG said: “The entry restriction measure implemented at popular wet markets has been effective in evening out the crowds. With the entry restriction implementation at Lucky Plaza and Peninsular Plaza, we hope that it will help these popular malls to reduce crowding issues on the weekends and provide a safer shopping environment for all.”

PENINSULA PLAZA

Businesses and visitors need to play their part

Other shopping malls or premises with high traffic that face similar crowd management issues may also be required to adopt this entry restriction. Businesses should continue to adhere to safe management measures such as implementing SafeEntry, ensuring proper queue markings and crowd control during anticipated peak periods and ensuring that patrons and employees put on face masks properly at all times except during meals.

Government agencies will be conducting inspections to check on the proper implementation of the Safe Management Measures. Under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act passed in Parliament on 7 April 2020, first-time offenders will face a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Subsequent offences may face a fine of up to S$20,000, imprisonment of up to twelve months, or both. Businesses that do not implement or comply with the government’s safe distancing advisories may be ineligible for government grants, loans, tax rebates and other assistance. Companies may refer to updated guidelines and the full list of safe management measures at https://covid.gobusiness.gov.sg.

Members of the public are also reminded to remain vigilant, practise safe distancing and cooperate with the measures put in place by the establishments. They should continue to wear masks whenever they are out, avoid visiting supermarkets or malls in large groups, and not loiter after conducting essential businesses or dining-out.

ORDER HERE:  fcowanmedia@gmail.com : Amazon: Unicorn Eyes : The Orange-Sofa : Walking Home