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SINGAPORE – Pulau Ubin seafood restaurant, Cheong Lian Yuen, went from being concerned about its future after the Covid-19 pandemic wiped out nearly all visits to the island to now worrying about whether it can accommodate the number of people who turn out. there.
A feature on the island for more than 60 years, it has tripled business since the switch ended in June.
Goh Jun Kang, 27, third generation owner, said: “When Covid-19 first came, business was really bad. We had to close our store for two to three months.
“But right now it’s really crowded on the weekends, even on weekdays.”
With international travel restricted, the island has drawn Singaporeans in droves, especially now, with the school holidays in full swing.
And it’s not just Pulau Ubin that attracts visitors. The southern islands have also become an “overseas” hot spot, as more in Singapore accept being tourists in their own country.
Visits to nature reserves, gardens and parks have seen a significant increase, the National Parks Board (NParks) told The Sunday Times.
In Ubin, with its rural charm of kampung and nature trails, the number of visitors has skyrocketed, with some 47,000 people traveling to the island last month, compared to an average of 25,000 visitors last November, NParks said.
Of the 50 people on the island who The Sunday Times surveyed on Friday (December 11), 48 were not bothered by the number of visitors there.
They said that the number of community cases was low in Singapore and added that visitors were also putting on masks.
It was observed that most of the people followed the rules and kept the masks on, especially when they were in the city center. As it was the school holidays, there were many families with children.
However, groups of more than five met in some areas, such as at the information kiosk, to buy drinks from the vending machine.
The 15-minute bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal to the island costs $ 4 each way.
If the weather permits, business has been quick, said a boatman who did not want to be named. It currently makes an average of seven to eight passenger boat trips on weekdays and a little more than 10 on weekends.
Boats leave Changi Pier every few minutes, each carrying between 10 and 12 passengers.
At Changi Pier, waiting lines and markers remind people to keep a safe distance.
Goh said her restaurant places an emphasis on ensuring people abide by safe distancing rules. Diners are kept at five per table, with 1 meter spaces between the 13 tables.
“If there is a large group, we do not think we will accept their business. We will apologize, explain the situation and ask them to return in smaller groups … It is not worth the risk.”
The store’s owner, Mrs. Ng, 70, who did not give her full name, lives on the island and makes a living selling drinks and snacks.
He said business has not only returned, it has improved.
“When more people visit the place, we will get more customers,” he said in Mandarin.
Engineer Jasbir Singh, 54, who visited the island on Friday for the second time in a week, said he wanted to experience its kampung vibe.
“I normally travel to the United States, but now with Covid-19 in full swing, it is a good opportunity to explore Singapore,” he said.
Cerline Yeo, 42, who works in the education sector, visited the island for the first time together with her family and friends.
“I’m not too worried about the crowds, the island is big enough to accommodate everyone and we came on a weekday,” he said.
In addition to biking and walking to scenic spots such as Chek Jawa, visitors have also rented vans on the island for a quick trip to their destination.
The operator of that service, who wanted to be known only as Mr. Ong, said there are at least 10 vans that visitors can reserve.
The 62-year-old, who has lived on the island for more than 10 years, said he moved there to enjoy a less stressful pace of life. Return to the mainland once or twice a month.
He said he doesn’t care about the higher step now.
“There are more people now, but it’s not a big deal. The island is quiet again at night when most of them leave.”
Mr. Tan Jiok Hang, 72, was visiting the island with his family.
“The air is fresher. I want to be in a different environment than the city,” he said.
While he has traveled abroad several times, it was his first time in Ubin.
“I always wanted to come here and I finally got the chance,” he said.
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