SINGAPORE — In light of a steady rise in locally transmitted Covid-19 cases, the authorities are tightening safety measures in the community that will see outdoor barbecue pits and campsites closed and shopping malls needing to restrict the number of people entering.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Friday (April 30) that these measures will take effect from Saturday (May 1) to May 14.

Malls and large standalone stores: Their occupancy limit will be reduced to one person per 10 sqm of gross floor area, down from one person per 8 sqm of gross floor area

Popular shopping complexes Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road and Peninsula Plaza on North Bridge Road: Entry restrictions will be reinstated at these malls on Sundays, based on patrons’ identification numbers. Those whose National Registration Identification Card or Foreign Identification Number ends in even digits (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8) can visit the two malls only on even dates (such as May 2), while those whose identity card numbers end in odd digits (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) can visit only on odd dates (such as May 9). 

Outdoor barbecue pits and campsites: These places, including barbecue pits in parks, public housing estates, condominiums and country clubs, will be closed to the public.

Attractions: From May 7 to 14, all attractions that have received the Government’s approval will be allowed to operate at half their operating capacity, a reduction from 65 per cent capacity.

Education Minister Lawrence Wong, co-chair of the Government’s Covid-19 task force, told reporters on Friday: “These are the additional measures we will put in place over the month of May, in order to reduce activity levels, and to try to slow down transmission of the virus within the community.”

Singapore recorded 24 new cases of Covid-19 on Friday, nine of which were in the wider community.

Four of the community cases are linked to a cluster at Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Novena, bringing the total number of cases there to 13.