Still heading out to exercise during the circuit breaker period, despite rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in Singapore? NParks has just released a few reminders for you about safe distancing at its parks.

NParks today (Apr 10) announced closures of facilities at several parks and gardens in Singapore in a new advisory:
- Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: Closure of Exhibition Hall
- Sembawang Hot Spring Park: Closure of hot spring stations
- Singapore Botanic Gardens: Closure of National Orchid Garden, Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Heritage Museum, Ethnobotany Centre, Library, CDL Green Gallery and Seed Bank
- Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Mangrove: Closure of Mangrove and Nature Galleries
- Pulau Ubin: Closure of Nature Gallery, Chek Jawa Visitor Centre and Ubin camping areas and campsites
- Sisters’ Islands Marine Park: Closure of Marine Park Public Gallery

Entry to parks will also be strictly controlled if the need arises.

SportSG has also announced that all 15 open-air stadiums under are now closed, as part of tightened circuit breaker measures.

This is in addition to safe distancing measures already in place. Facilities in parks have shut to prevent gathering of groups. These include fitness corners/stations, playgrounds/nature play gardens, dog runs, fishing areas, football fields and basketball/volleyball court facilities, and water play/water recreational facilities. F&B outlets in parks can only offer takeaway and delivery services, and retail and recreation outlets in parks remain closed, except those providing essential services. Booking of barbecue pits, and the applications of camping, hiking, filming and research permits have also been suspended. Sports, fitness and recreation facilities have also been shut since Apr 7.

The government announced yesterday that it may further tighten safe distancing measures at this time. This comes on the back of increasing numbers of positive cases of Covid-19 in Singapore — yesterday’s (Apr 9) startling 287 new cases was Singapore’s record high — and continued crowds at parts of the island.

That people are still gathering in groups and thronging parks, such as Bishan Park and East Coast Park, to exercise since circuit breaker measures kicked in on Apr 7 has resulted in ire among law-abiding citizens who’ve been doing their part and staying home during this crucial circuit breaker period.

TL;DR: Stay home during the circuit breaker period. If you really really want to go out to work out, keep the session short. Go alone or with someone living with you, and only to a park in your immediate neighbourhood. Before you go, take a look at NParks’ Safe-Distancing Map first to check visitorship levels. If it’s too crowded, please go home. The workout can wait; curbing the spread of the virus can’t.

What happens if you’re caught flouting safe distancing rules in Singapore?

All across Singapore, about 10,000 advisories and 158 stern warnings have been issued by safe distancing ambassadors since the circuit breaker measures came into effect on Apr 7. NParks, which has already deployed 1,000 staff on patrol in parks to ensure safe distancing measures, and has begun using drones in certain parks to monitor crowd situations.

People who fail to comply with safe distancing rules will be issued a stern written warning the first time, issued a $300 fine the second time, and if found flouting the rules for a third time, can be charged in court. If convicted, first-time offenders may face up to a $10,000 fine or up to six months in jail, or both.

Photos: NParks