Singapore, 11 March 2020 – The Qing Ming Festival takes place on 4 April 2020 this year, with the peak period expected to last between 21 March to 19 April 2020. In view of the current COVID-19 situation, the National Environment Agency (NEA) wishes to remind members of public to exercise socially responsible behavior so as to protect our own well-being and the well-being of our families and relatives. Those who feel unwell or are sick should stay at home and see a doctor and avoid visiting during the Qing Ming peak periods as crowds are expected at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and the government columbaria. Visitors are advised not to prolong their stay at the columbarium complexes when visiting. They are also advised to minimise the number of family members visiting and not to bring elderly family members and young children.

2          To cater for the anticipated increase in visitors during the annual Qing Ming period, NEA has extended the opening hours for government-managed columbaria (Choa Chu Kang, Mandai and Yishun Columbarium) to 24 hours daily with effect from 17 March 2020 till 19 April 2020. Religious activities such as burning of joss papers are expected to increase during the Qing Ming festival. Members of the public who observe such practices are reminded to do so in a considerate manner and keep the environment clean. For those visiting Choa Chu Kang cemetery and government columbaria, there will be traffic arrangements put in place to help ease expected congestion. We would also like to remind members of the public to exercise due diligence when engaging third-party grave maintenance services at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery.

Traffic Conditions at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Government Columbaria

3          Crowds are expected to peak at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government columbaria at Mandai, Yishun and Choa Chu Kang during the Qing Ming festival (Saturday, 4 April 2020); Good Friday (Friday, 10 April 2020); and the weekends within the period from 21 March 2020 to 19 April 2020. Members of the public who wish to avoid the crowds and traffic congestion are encouraged to avoid visiting in the mornings of these peak periods. The crowds at Choa Chu Kang Columbarium are expected to be larger this year as we expect more next-of-kin to visit given that niche occupancy at the columbarium has continued to grow.

Real-time Traffic Conditions

4          Information on real-time traffic conditions outside Mandai Columbarium and Choa Chu Kang Columbarium are available at www.nea.gov.sg/qingming2020. Visitors can check the traffic conditions to help plan their trips.

Shuttle Bus Service and Designated Drop-off/pick-up Points for Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles

5          To minimise traffic congestion, visitors are advised to take public transport (please see Annex A for the list of public transport services), or the shuttle buses provided during the peak periods. Designated drop-off/pick-up points will be set up at Mandai and Choa Chu Kang Cemetery to facilitate visitors taking taxis and private hire vehicles. Drivers are advised to follow the directional signs and instructions given by the Traffic Police and traffic wardens.

New Bus Shuttle Route at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Columbarium

6          To facilitate visitors to CCK Cemetery and Columbarium, a new shuttle bus service will be provided at a fee of $1.00 per trip between NEA’s Claims & Registration Office (2 Christian Cemetery Path 2) and Choa Chu Kang Columbarium (51 Chinese Cemetery Path 4) at 15-minutes intervals from 0700 hours to 1700 hours during weekends and Good Friday between 21 March 2020 to 19 April 2020 on these dates:

• 21, 22, 28 and 29 March 2020
• 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 18 and 19 April 2020

7          Drivers who wish to use the shuttle service may wish to park within the Christian Cemetery, along the left-hand side of the cemetery paths without causing obstruction to other users. Drivers can also use the car park lots at Car Park A along Jalan Bahar and Car Parks B, C and D along Old Choa Chu Kang Road. Temporary car park lots at Path 9 Chinese Cemetery will be made available during the Qing Ming period. Alternatively, drivers can park along the left-hand side of the cemetery paths (drivers are advised to park in a considerate manner to aid traffic flow) at the burial blocks opposite the Choa Chu Kang Columbarium. Vehicles exceeding 2,500kg unladen weight are not allowed into the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery during the peak periods. A map of the Choa Chu Kang Chinese Cemetery site can be found in Map 1.

Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium

8     Due to ongoing construction works for the development of a new crematorium complex, there will be temporary closure of some roads and open-air car parks near Mandai Columbarium Blocks B and C. To complement existing public bus services, a shuttle bus service will be provided at a fee of $1.40 per trip between Khatib MRT Station (Exit A pick-up point) and the rear entrance of Mandai Columbarium along Mandai Avenue at 15-min intervals, from 0700 hours to 1700 hours, during weekends and Good Friday between 21 March 2020 to 19 April 2020 on these dates:

• 21, 22, 28 and 29 March 2020
• 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 18 and 19 April 2020

9     Drivers to Mandai Columbarium are encouraged to park their vehicles near Khatib MRT station and use the shuttle bus service (pick-up point at Khatib MRT station Exit A). We seek visitors’ understanding that the limited lots at the basement carpark of Mandai Crematorium Block will only be opened to those attending cremation services during this period. A map of the Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium site can be found in Map 2.

10     Due to high traffic expected at these facilities, pedestrians are reminded to exercise caution at all times, and look after their personal safety and that of other road users when crossing the roads. Drivers are also advised to stay alert and pay attention to their surroundings when driving.

Using of Burners and Containers to keep the Environment Clean and Reduce Fire Risk

11        Members of the public are advised to use burners and containers for the burning of joss paper to minimise flying ashes and keeping the environment clean. Members of the public are encouraged to burn joss paper in small quantities to minimise smoke emission and avoid creating fire hazards such as leaving lighted candles and matches unattended, in view of the ongoing warm and dry weather. Burners will be made available at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government columbaria at Mandai, Yishun and Choa Chu Kang during this period. For housing estates, Town Councils will be providing burners and containers for residents’ use.

12        Members of the public are also reminded not to leave any food offerings and litter after visiting to keep the public areas clean to prevent mosquito breeding or rat infestation.

Engaging Third-party Grave Maintenance Services

13        NEA provides regular grass-cutting maintenance for the common areas of Choa Chu Kang Cemetery. This does not include the grass maintenance of graves and their monuments.

14        Members of the public may be approached by persons at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery for payment of grave maintenance service fees. These services are not regulated nor endorsed by NEA. Next-of-kin who have not made prior private arrangements for such services are advised not to pay anyone who claims to have maintained the graves of their loved ones.

15         NEA has reminded these third-party grave maintenance service providers not to engage in any illegal activities such as touting, extortion, harassment and cheating. Members of the public may lodge a police report at the nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Post, should they come across such an encounter. Alternatively, they can contact the Cemetery Office at 6793 7428 during office hours or call NEA’s hotline at 6225 5632. 

Exercise Due Care When Moving Around CCK Cemetery

16    With the ongoing exhumation works at CCK Cemetery, visitors are strongly advised to exercise care and caution by donning protective footwear and watching out for potholes, cracks, uneven or rough surfaces on pathways or terrain, when navigating or walking within cemetery compound. Given the expected high visitation during Qing Ming period, we strongly discourage anyone from entering the Phase 7 mass exhumation site, for public safety reasons. Next of kin of deceased buried at the affected blocks who wish to conduct prayers for their loved ones may do so at the designated praying areas set up at Chinese Cemetery Path 9 and Chinese Cemetery Path 14. Refer to Map 3.

17     Office opening hours and useful contact numbers are available in Annex B.

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For more information, please contact us at 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) or submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

MAP 1

Location Map of Choa Chu Kang Chinese Cemetery

MAP 2

Location Map of Mandai Crematorium/ Columbarium

MAP 3

Location Map of Phase 7 Exhumation Site

ANNEX A

How to Get There – Public Transport Services

Bus services by the public transport operators are listed below.

*Available during Qing Ming period on the dates indicated below:

·         21 & 22 March 2020 (Saturday & Sunday)

·         28 & 29 March 2020 (Saturday & Sunday)

·         4 & 5 April 2020 (Saturday [Qing Ming Actual Day] & Sunday)

·         11 & 12 April 2020 (Saturday & Sunday)

·         18 & 19 April 2020 (Saturday & Sunday)

ANNEX B

Useful Contact Numbers & Office Opening Hours