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Singapore NDP postponed to 21 August in tandem with lifting of COVID curbs

People wave to the passing armoured vehicles in the Republic of Singapore Armed Forces mobile column as it parades through the financial business diestrict to mark the 55th National Day celebrations in Singapore on August 9, 2020. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)
People wave to the passing armoured vehicles in the Republic of Singapore Armed Forces mobile column as it parades through the financial business district to mark the 55th National Day celebrations in Singapore on 9 August, 2020. (PHOTO: AFP via Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — This year's National Day Parade (NDP) will be postponed to 21 August after the lifting of the latest coronavirus restrictions in Singapore, said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) on Thursday (22 July).

Instead, a ceremonial parade will be held on 9 August on National Day, similar to last year's, and will take place at the Marina Bay floating platform.

The heartland fireworks and Red Lions displays – originally to be held on 7 to 8 August – will also be cancelled, said the ministry. The NDP rehearsal and preview on the 24 and 31 July have been postponed as well.

"To prepare for the NDP on 21 August, rehearsals will be conducted later in smaller component groups. Their dates will not be announced, so as to discourage crowds from gathering around Marina Bay," Mindef added.

The National Day Rally will be held on 29 August at Mediacorp.

The announcement comes as Singapore makes a return to its Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) measures – to last from Thursday to 18 August – due to the fast-growing clusters linked to Jurong Fishery Port and KTV lounges.

Last year's NDP at the Padang saw just 200 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel taking part, with limited spectators as part of coronavirus-related restrictions. For the first time, the parade did not have mass performances.

Instead, an evening show with around 100 participants was broadcast from the Star Performing Arts Centre.

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