SINGAPORE — The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said on Saturday (Dec 5) it was aware that crowds had gathered outside the Foot Locker outlet at Orchard Gateway on Friday night, adding that investigations were under way. 

The statement came after photos circulated online of large crowds outside the sports footwear and apparel shop — apparently for Saturday's release of limited-edition Adidas sneakers — and in breach of Covid-19 safe distancing rules.

Police vehicles were also seen in the photos.

A media photo posted on social media of the crowd on Friday.  

STB said the crowds dispersed after safe distancing ambassadors and police officers arrived at around 8.30pm.

“Investigations are under way as Foot Locker stores have received repeated advisories about crowd management but continue to hold events that draw large crowds,” said Ms Ranita Sundramoorthy, director of safe management measures operations at STB.

“STB takes a serious view of any breach in safe management measures, and will not hesitate to take actions against individuals and businesses that do not comply with them,” it added.

Foot Locker Singapore had earlier marketed itself as a place to snag the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 sneakers, which it described as the “most wanted shoes in this season”.

The Yeezy sneaker line is a collaboration between American rapper Kanye West and Adidas and the shoes can fetch high prices on the resale market due to demand.

"These trainers are hot — the hype is real," Foot Locker Singapore said on its website prior to the launch.

The website is down on Saturday morning.

Photos circulated on social media show a crowd outside a Foot Locker outlet at Orchard Gateway on Dec 4, 2020.   

Under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, first-time offenders will face a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to six months or both. Repeat offenders may face a fine of up to S$20,000, imprisonment of up to twelve months or both.

New Covid-19 infections in the community have remained low, with a total of four cases in the past week who are currently unlinked to previous cases.

However, experts warn that the virus will be difficult to eradicate and that there may be pockets of undiscovered asymptomatic or recovered Covid-19 cases in the community.

Sole Superior Singapore, a sneaker and streetwear community, on Friday evening called on Foot Locker to shift to a contactless system for “hyped releases”.

“All we need is just one case to create a cluster. Then, inevitably, the public will look at the streetwear community in general in disgust,” it said in a Facebook post. CNA

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