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SINGAPORE – Lucky Plaza has been the go-to place for Filipino domestic worker Ludivina Ellorengco and her friends on days off, but new entry restrictions that went into effect this weekend have removed much of the enthusiasm.
New rules to reduce crowding on weekends meant that the generally prosperous Orchard Road shopping center was much quieter when Saturday (August 29) rolled around.
The restrictions, which also apply at Peninsula Plaza on North Bridge Road, allow individuals with identification cards that end in an odd number to enter odd dates, and those with identification cards that end in even numbers, to enter only on even dates .
“All my friends (ID cards end in) even numbers, so I can’t meet them here,” said Ms Ellorengco, who has been working here for five years.
Ms. Glyda Lopez, 34, is another Lucky Plaza fan. She usually spends her days off on Saturdays there meeting friends and shopping for clothes and food.
The popular Filipino fast food chain Jollibee on the basement and sixth floor of the mall is another draw for her.
His employer designated Saturday as his day off, since malls like Lucky Plaza are busiest on Sundays, he said.
“Some of my friends don’t come (to Lucky Plaza) when they’re out; they go to parks and open areas like Botanic Gardens and East Coast Park,” Ms. Lopez said.
Ms. Aye Aye Than, 35, used to meet friends at Peninsula Plaza on alternate Sundays, but that changed with the pandemic.
Your employer has told you to avoid crowded places when you go out, although they have made a compromise by shifting your day off to Saturday, when Peninsula Plaza is less crowded.
“It’s nice to be able to come here and shop on the weekends, but it’s hard to meet friends because most of them only have holidays on Sundays,” Ms. Than said.
Her employer, logistics executive Kelvin Yeow, said: “It’s nice that your card number ends with an odd number, so we can still arrange for you to have your day off on Saturday. Of course, we would prefer you to avoid the places if possible, and hopefully the staggered entry days will mean fewer crowds. “
Other visitors The Straits Times spoke with on Saturday were not regulars at any of the malls, but were there to run essential errands.
A 44-year-old Filipino domestic worker who wanted to be known only as Susie was sending a package, which included a laptop, to her family in the Philippines.
“Every year I go home in July, but because of this pandemic I can’t go home, so I decided to send a package to my family,” he said.
Cheryl Li, a 57-year-old homemaker, told ST at one of the Lucky Plaza remittance shops: “I am helping my parents’ helper send money home.
“Their (ID card) ends in an odd number, but because they (my parents) are older and not in the best of health, we think it is safer if your helper avoids going to crowded places for now in case of get infected. “
The owners of the Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza stores said crowds dropped significantly on Saturday compared to previous weekends.
Salon owner Jackie Yang said Saturday was even calmer than Friday: “Some of my clients came yesterday because they can’t come today, and Sunday would be pretty full.”
Ms. Yang, who has been operating her salon at Lucky Plaza for about a decade, was concerned about the slow pace of foot traffic, especially as rents remain unchanged.
Ms Iris Htet Engine Thant, 21, whose mother owns the Ngwe Thaw Dar grocery store in Peninsula Plaza, said that while the mall was quieter than usual on Saturday, it tends to be busier for them on Sundays, when more Myanmar citizens pass by.
But the store is finding new ways to make sure sales don’t suffer, he said.
“We offer home delivery and have started selling on online platforms like Shopee. Customers can also arrange to pick up their items outside of the mall if they are not the correct number for that day,” added Iris.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Enterprise Singapore (ESG) said Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza were taking a “more consultative approach” this weekend, given the early days of the new rules.
A visitor to Lucky Plaza, who wanted to be known only as Mr. Cheong, told ST that he was allowed to park and enter the mall even though his ID card ends with an even number.
The STB, ESG, and organizations like the Center for Domestic Employees have posted reminders of the new entry restrictions on social media platforms.
Safe distancing ambassadors were seen at both centers on Saturday, speaking to store owners and visitors queuing to enter. Others were deployed to the two centers last weekend to inform visitors of upcoming entry restrictions.
“The deployment of safe distance ambassadors has been increased at both shopping centers to manage crowds and ensure proper implementation of entry restrictions,” the STB and ESG said.
“We will also continue to engage neighboring shopping centers to help disperse the crowds that congregate around their shopping centers and handle any possible spill to the main thoroughfare.”
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