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SINGAPORE: Starting from Saturday (September 12), those visiting four popular markets in Geylang Serai, Yishun, Marsiling and Jurong will no longer have their entry restricted based on the last digit of their ID card numbers, the National Agency said. of the Environment (NEA) in a press release on Thursday (September 10).
The markets are: Geylang Serai Market, Chong Pang Market at Block 104/105 Yishun Ring Road, Block 20/21 Marsiling Lane and Block 505 Jurong West Street 52.
Restricted entry based on ID card numbers was implemented at these locations in April due to long lines outside when markets reached their allowed capacity.
Under the rules, those whose last digit on their ID card is an even number can only visit these markets on even dates of the month. Those whose last digit is an odd number can only visit these markets on the odd dates of the month.
“With this easing, the four popular markets will no longer have odd / even date entry restrictions, although limits on the number of customers that can be in the market at any given time are maintained to ensure that safe distancing can be effective. kept within the market, “NEA said.
READ: COVID-19 entry restrictions in 4 popular markets to be eased on weekdays
In August, these restrictions were relaxed in all four markets during the weekdays.
This resulted in more business for merchants and more flexibility for customers, NEA said.
“Since the lifting of the odd / even date entry restriction in the four popular markets, NEA has seen a significant increase in the average daily influx in the four midweek markets, ranging from 18 to 48 percent.
“This has brought more business to merchants while giving more flexibility to customers visiting this popular market.”
Regarding queues outside the markets, NEA said there were “no queues or short to moderate queues observed on weekdays,” primarily at Geylang Serai Market and Block 20/21 Marsiling Lane.
“Overall, the midweek queue situation outside the markets over the past three weeks has been manageable and under control.”
Queues over the weekends in all four markets have remained “virtually unchanged from what they were more than three weeks ago,” NEA said.
“This is because the odd / even date entry restriction remains in effect on weekends, and there was also minimal crowd drift from weekend to weekdays over the past three weeks,” he explained.
The longest queues were seen at Geylang Serai Market, with more than 100 customers in line, and at Block 20/21 Marsiling Lane, with approximately 70 customers in line.
In their respective peak hours, it took about 20 minutes for a customer to enter the Geylang Serai market and 15 minutes for someone to enter the market at Marsiling, a “manageable queue length,” NEA said.
The other two markets saw no queues on weekends.
“Therefore, NEA will also lift the odd / even date entry restriction in the four popular markets on weekends, beginning September 12, 2020,” the agency said.
“This will allow traders in these markets to enjoy more influx and give customers a bit more flexibility to visit the markets,” he said, adding that safe distancing measures would remain in place as capacity limits will remain.
SafeEntry will continue to be used as well.
NEA noted that the wait time to enter the four markets could be longer with the lifting of entry restrictions.
He advised that members of the public should continue to adhere to safe distancing measures and are encouraged to visit markets Monday through Friday or in the off-peak period between 10 a.m. M. At noon on weekends.
“The crowd during this time period can be as much as 50 percent less than early morning and fresh produce continues to be available in markets until noon.
“We will continue to closely monitor secure management measures in markets and street vending centers and if the queue situation becomes unmanageable, we can introduce more specific secure management measures to safeguard the safety and well-being of all customers and merchants. in the markets”.
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