NEA reminds patrons to Geylang Serai Market, Block 104/105 Yishun Ring Road (Chong Pang Market), Block 20/21 Marsiling Lane, and Block 505 Jurong West Street 52 to adhere to the new restriction to avoid disappointment and enjoy a safer marketing experience.
Singapore, 24 April 2020 – With the enforcement of odd or even date entry restriction across four popular markets managed by the NEA or NEA-appointed operators, slightly over 400 patrons were turned away this morning for failing to adhere to the new entry restriction. This constitutes about five per cent of the crowd visiting these markets during the traditional peak hours from 7:00am to 10:00am.
Increased awareness and higher adherence to the new entry restriction
2 To improve crowd management and prevent crowding at popular markets, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and relevant Town Councils started to enforce the odd or even date entry restriction at Geylang Serai Market, Block 104/105 Yishun Ring Road (Chong Pang Market), Block 20/21 Marsiling Lane, and Block 505 Jurong West Street 52 this morning. Slightly more than 400 patrons failed to adhere with the entry restriction and were denied entry to these markets. Amongst the four popular markets, the rejection rate ranged from one per cent (at Block 104/105 Yishun Ring Road or Chong Pang Market) to 10 per cent (at Block 505 Jurong West Street 52) of the total patrons who turned up at these markets.
3 Across all four markets, the queues were shorter this morning than the past two days since the new entry restriction came into force on 22 April 2020, ranging from no queues to queues of about 20 people. Another encouraging development is that almost all patrons had their National Registration Identification Card (NRIC) or Foreign Identification Number (FIN) documentation with them when visiting the four markets.
4 Overall, the above observations indicate an increased awareness of the new entry restriction among patrons of these markets and hence a higher adherence rate. This has also led to shorter queues, and a more pleasant and safe marketing experience for all patrons.
Spreading the crowds at markets across the week is key to effective safe distancing
5 Under the new entry restriction system at the four markets, patrons with an even last digit (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) in their NRIC or FIN numbers can only visit these markets on the even dates of the month, and those with an odd last digit (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) can only visit these markets on the odd dates of the month. Patrons will have to produce appropriate forms of identification at the entry points of these markets for verification. Those who do not adhere to the odd or even date entry restriction will be denied entry to these markets. We urge family members to remind the elderly to avoid visiting markets, especially during peak hours, and to adhere to the new entry restriction at these markets if a visit is unavoidable.
6 Spreading out the crowds at the markets across the day and course of the week is critical in ensuring that safe distancing measures remain effective. As we approach the weekend, patrons are advised to visit slightly later as the market crowd usually thins out starting from about 10:00am, and fresh produce continues to be available till about noon. We further urge patrons to avoid visiting markets over the weekend and visit markets on a weekday instead. We would also like to inform patrons that most markets are also open on Mondays, where the crowd is about half of a normal day and patrons can still purchase produce such as fruits, vegetables, tofu and eggs.
7 Members of the public are urged to continue to do their part, observe the spirit of the circuit breaker measures and take safe distancing measures at markets and hawker centres seriously to help make the current circuit breaker measures a success.
~~ End ~~
For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.