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The rain, 1 meter social distancing and long wait time did not deter punters who yesterday went out to buy tickets for Toto’s $ 8.6 million drawing, which takes place today.
It is the largest prize money since the draw was resumed on June 25, after it was suspended due to Covid-19.
There were about 40 people in the queue at Singapore Pools Seng Yeok Chan Agency authorized retailers at Block 338 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 when The New Paper visited yesterday afternoon and about 20 people at Tong Aik Huat at Block 685 Hougang Street 61 late afternoon.
At the Ang Mo Kio establishment, a woman who wanted to be known only as Ms. Yeo estimated that she would have to wait about 30 minutes.
Ms. Yeo, who is in her 50s, said: “I really have no problem waiting. I understand that everyone is working on Monday and that’s why they are queuing today.”
You buy Toto tickets three to four times a year and intend to spend a small amount.
A man who wanted to be known only as Kumar said that he would normally buy Toto tickets once a month, but that he was not used to waiting that long.
“Tomorrow is a great attraction and that’s the only reason I’m willing to queue,” said the 45-year-old.
Part of the reason for the long lines is social distancing.
At Seng Yeok Chan Agency, there are markers to help clients know how far they differ from each other.
But the queue stretched far beyond the last marker.
Kumar said that was not a problem.
“We are so used to being 1 meter apart, that keeping the required distance from each other is something that comes naturally to us,” he said.
Ms. Cindy Cheng, 65, said that as people need to be protected from the rain and given the layout of the area next to the exit, some people could end up getting too close to each other.
The real estate agent, who buys Toto tickets for almost all the draws, said: “It’s nice that everyone wears a mask, but given the rain and the small space, it’s difficult to keep the 1 meter distance.”
On October 29, Singapore Pools announced as part of its resumption of normal services that it would allow Toto to cascade for the third consecutive draw.
On June 25, it had said that to better manage queues and facilitate crowd management for compliance with secure metering measures, it would cascade into the second consecutive draw rather than the fourth, which were the rules before Covid. -19.
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