COVID-19: Crowds thin after entry system implemented at four wet markets
SINGAPORE — Shorter queues were observed at the four wet markets which implemented the odd-or-even-date entry system since Wednesday (22 April).
According to a media release by National Environment Agency (NEA), queue lengths at the four markets – Geylang Serai Market, Chong Pang Market, 20/21 Marsiling Lane and 505 Jurong West Street 52 – ranged from 20 to 90 people over the last two days, compared to about 30 to 180 people on Tuesday, during the corresponding morning peak periods.
In particular, the busiest of the four markets – Geylang Serai – saw queues of not more than 50 people from 7am to 10am on Thursday, compared to a consistently long queues of above 100 persons from 8am onwards on Tuesday morning.
The entry system restricts patrons’ access to the markets based on the last digit of their NRIC/FIN number. Those with an even last digit (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) can visit the markets only on the even dates of the month, while those with an odd last digit (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) can do so only on the odd dates of the month.
Enforcement begins on Friday
Starting on Friday, NEA will begin enforcement on the entry system, whereby officials will deny entry to patrons who did not bring their identification documents.
In the past two days of implementation, authorities have been adopting an advisory approach, whereby those who came on the wrong date were reminded of the new restriction, but were still allowed to enter the markets.
More than 90 per cent of the patrons had their identification documents with them when visiting the markets in the last two days. According to NEA, adherence to the entry restriction improved from around 60 to 70 per cent on Wednesday to around 80 to 85 per cent on Thursday.
Patrons are reminded that the restriction is not based on odd or even day of the week, but odd or even date of the calendar month. They are also reminded to visit the markets alone, although patrons who require assistance, such as the elderly and persons with disability, are allowed one other accompanying person in their visits.
Pilot use of SafeEntry at Geylang Serai
Since Thursday, patrons at Geylang Serai Market may have their NRIC or FIN scanned before entering the market, as part of a pilot use of SafeEntry, a digital check-in application to support contact tracing and fine-tune crowd management.
Market patrons can do their part in safe distancing by patronising markets during weekdays, or at the non-peak period after 10am on weekends.
NEA said crowds at markets after 10am are about 50 per cent less than the earlier peak hours, and fresh produce continues to be available in markets till about noon.
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