In light of COVID-19 safe distancing measures, visitors are advised to limit the number of family members visiting to two pax per household, and to visit during weekdays (extended opening hours to 24 hours) when it is less crowded. An e-appointment booking system for visitors driving to Mandai Columbarium will be implemented during peak days. Visitors are encouraged to carpool, and only vehicles with valid e-appointments made will be allowed to enter and park at the premises.

Singapore, 5 March 2021 – Qing Ming festival takes place on 4 April 2021, with the visiting period expected to last from 20 March to 18 April 2021. In view of the continued COVID-19 situation and strict safe distancing measures, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has put in place stricter crowd control measures to limit crowds, and urges members of the public to exercise socially responsible behaviour to protect our well-being and that of our families and relatives. Those feeling unwell or are sick should stay at home, see a doctor, and avoid visiting. As crowds are expected at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government-managed columbaria during the Qing Ming period, visitors are requested to:

• Minimise the family size visiting to two pax per household, with not more than eight pax per group;
• Not bring elderly family members and young children;
• Not eat and drink, or prolong their stay at the facilities;
• Avoid crowding around the prayer and joss paper burning areas at the columbaria;
• Keep a safe distance of at least 1 metre from other visitors, and wear a mask at all times; and
• Carpool and register their vehicles if they intend to drive and park at Mandai Columbarium on peak days.

2          To cater for the anticipated increase in visitors during the annual Qing Ming period, NEA will extend the opening hours for government-managed columbaria (Choa Chu Kang, Mandai, and Yishun Columbaria) to 24 hours daily, with effect from 20 March until 18 April 2021.

3          For better crowd control, Safe Distancing Ambassadors will be deployed, and traffic management arrangements will be put in place to help ease expected congestion. To reduce the time spent by visitors at the columbaria, NEA will also set up joss paper collection booths to provide the collection and burning of joss paper service on selected days. Visitors are reminded not to give red packets to staff working at the collection booths and within the government columbaria and cemetery. Refer to Annex A for how to stay safe during visits for Qing Ming.

Traffic Management at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Government-managed Columbaria

4          Crowds are expected to peak at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government-managed columbaria at Mandai, Yishun and Choa Chu Kang, during the Qing Ming festival (Sunday, 4 April 2021); Good Friday (Friday, 2 April 2021); and at the weekends within the period from 20 March to 18 April 2021. Members of the public who wish to avoid queues, crowds and traffic congestion, are encouraged to avoid visiting during these periods.

E-Appointment Booking System for those Driving to Mandai Columbarium on Peak Days

5          The crowds at Mandai Columbarium are expected to be larger this year, given the high niche occupancy. To improve the traffic flow within Mandai Columbarium and to enhance the overall experience for visitors, NEA will implement an e-appointment booking system for visitors driving to Mandai Columbarium during these peak days:

• March 2021: 20, 21, 27, 28
• April 2021: 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18
  

6          The key details are as follow:

• For visitors taking public transport, appointment booking is not required for visits.
• For visitors driving to Mandai Columbarium during peak days, only vehicles registered with valid e-appointments will be allowed to enter and park at the premises.
• Non-registered vehicles intending to drop off passengers may use the designated drop-off/pick-up point near the pedestrian gate along Mandai Avenue.
• Vehicles that arrive outside the appointment time may be denied entry. As traffic wardens will be deployed to regulate traffic flow and vehicle access into the columbarium, visitors with valid vehicle appointments will be required to show the confirmation email or SMS upon entry.
• Appointment slots will be released two weeks before the peak days, starting on 6 March 2021, and visitors who wish to drive or carpool to Mandai Columbarium are advised to book an appointment early at ¹https://go.gov.sg/mandaiqm2021.
• Appointment booking is not required for visits outside the peak days.

Real-time Traffic Conditions

7          Information on real-time traffic conditions outside Mandai Columbarium and Choa Chu Kang Columbarium are available at www.nea.gov.sg/qingming2021.

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

8          To minimise traffic congestion, visitors are advised to take the shuttle buses provided during peak days, or utilise public transport services listed in Annex B. Designated drop-off/pick-up points will be set up at Mandai Columbarium 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.

Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Columbarium Complex

9          Long queues are expected at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Columbarium Complex during peak days. To facilitate visits to Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Columbarium, a 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-minute intervals from 0700 hours to 1700 hours, during weekends from 20 March to 18 April 2021 and on Good Friday, on these dates:

• March 2021: 20, 21, 27, 28
• April 2021: 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18

10        Drivers who wish to use the shuttle bus service may park within the Christian Cemetery along the left-hand side of the cemetery paths, without causing obstruction to other users. Drivers may also use the car park lots, at Car Park A along Jalan Bahar and at 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 may 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 Choa Chu Kang Columbarium. Vehicles exceeding 2,500kg unladen weight are not allowed into Choa Chu Kang Cemetery during peak periods. Location of the Choa Chu Kang Chinese Cemetery site is shown in Map 1.

Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex

11     Due to ongoing construction works for the development of a new crematorium complex, there are closures 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 $1.00 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 from 20 March to 18 April 2021 and on Good Friday, on these dates:

• March 2021: 20, 21, 27, 28
• April 2021: 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18

12     Drivers to Mandai Columbarium are encouraged to park their vehicles near Khatib MRT station, and to use the shuttle bus service (pick-up point at Khatib MRT station Exit A). We seek visitors’ understanding that the limited parking lots at the Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex will only be available to those with valid e-appointments or those attending cremation services with valid entry passes, during this period. Location of the Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium site is shown in Map 2.

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

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

14        Members of the public are advised to use burners and containers for the burning of joss paper, to minimise fly ash and keep the environment clean. Members of the public are also encouraged to burn joss paper in small quantities to minimise smoke emission and avoid creating fire hazards, such as leaving lit 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.

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

Engaging Third-party Grave Maintenance Services

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

17        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 or 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.

18         NEA has reminded 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 encounter any such incident. Alternatively, they can contact the Cemetery Office at 6793 7428 during office hours, or call NEA’s hotline at 6225 5632. 

Exercising Care When Moving Around Choa Chu Kang Cemetery

19    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 the cemetery compound.

20     Office opening hours and useful contact numbers are available in Annex C.

~~ End ~~

For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application. Alternatively, you contact us at 6225 5632.

ANNEX A

MAP 1

Location Map of Choa Chu Kang Chinese Cemetery

MAP 2

Location Map of Mandai Crematorium/Columbarium

ANNEX B

How to Get There – Public Transport Services

Bus services by public transport operators are listed below.

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

-   20 & 21 March 2021 (Saturday & Sunday)
-   27 & 28 March 2021 (Saturday & Sunday)
-   2, 3 & 4 April 2021 (Friday [Good Friday], Saturday & Sunday [Qing Ming Actual Day]) -   10 & 11 April 2021 (Saturday & Sunday)
-   17 & 18 April 2021 (Saturday & Sunday)

ANNEX C

Useful Contact Numbers & Office Opening Hours