SINGAPORE — From Aug 29, Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza will implement entry restrictions on weekends, using visitors’ National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) and Foreign Identification Number (FIN).

This was among some safety management measures announced by the authorities on Friday (Aug 21) to manage crowds in public spaces.

Speaking at a media briefing, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said that this is because the two shopping centres attract large crowds on weekends.

Those with NRIC number and FIN ending in an odd digit can visit the two malls only on weekend days that fall on an odd date, for example on Saturday, Sept 5.

And those whose NRIC number and FIN end in an even digit will be able to visit the two places on weekend days that fall on an even date, such as Sunday, Sept 6.

More details will be provided by the Singapore Tourism Board and Enterprise Singapore separately. 

Mr Gan, who is co-chair of the governmental task force handling Singapore’s approach to the Covid-19 pandemic, said that they will continue to monitor the situation closely, and other malls or premises that face similar crowd management issues may also be required to adopt this entry restriction.

LIFT LOBBIES

As more activities resume, lift lobbies have also become increasingly crowded, the task force noted. 

To reduce the risk of overcrowding in lifts and lift lobbies, the Government will put in place stringent safe management measures in lifts while exempting them from the 1m safe distancing requirement. 

These safe management measures include wearing of masks, refraining from speaking and using hand sanitiser provided in lifts. 

Lift users should continue to observe safe distancing in lift lobbies.

FOOD & BEVERAGE OUTLETS

The task force also said that over the past few weeks, some food-and-beverage (F&B) outlets were observed to be playing extremely loud music, causing patrons to have to talk more loudly to be heard — which increases the risk of droplet spread. 

Patrons at some of these outlets were found not wearing their masks for prolonged periods as well, with some even mixing with people from other tables.

As an added precaution, the task force will tighten the rules to allow recorded music at F&B outlets to be played as soft background music only. Live music, live broadcasts — both television and radio, as well as video screenings — will continue to be prohibited.

“We also urge everyone to refrain from booking multiple tables for large gatherings in F&B outlets, and also seek the cooperation of F&B outlets not to accept such reservations.” 

Households with more than five people that wish to dine out together may book more than one table to accommodate everyone in the household. They should, however, limit their interactions between tables. 

Other than that, there should not be organised events, celebrations or parties in an F&B setting involving several tables, and where people are mingling among themselves without wearing their masks. 

Enforcement officers will step up their checks in F&B outlets and take action against any breaches of safe distancing rules by the individuals or the F&B operators, the task force added.

Speaking at the media briefing, Education Minister Lawrence Wong, who is the other co-chair of the task force, said: “Once again we want to encourage everyone to do their part and cooperate with the rules in place to control the infection well, even as we resume more activities in Singapore.”