Parks, Fields & Beaches In S'pore That Are Now Closed — ’Cos People Just Had To Exercise In Crowded Spaces Over The Long Weekend
So, how was your weekend?
Crowds flocking outdoors over the long weekend, purportedly to exercise, have prompted the authorities to close more outdoor spaces islandwide. Although exercising outdoors is still permitted (for now) under the Covid-19 circuit breaker measures, safe distancing rules, such as keeping a physical distance of at least 1 metre from others, still apply.
But the throngs who headed outdoors for their workouts have led to the closures of more public spaces over the weekend, in a bid to discourage groups from gathering during the circuit breaker, where people are meant to stay at home unless necessary.
Which outdoor parks and spaces in Singapore are now closed?
Closed: Playfields
All playfields managed by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) have been closed with immediate effect, SLA announced yesterday (Apr 11). These include playfields at Tanjong Rhu, Jalan Tembusu, Loyang Ave, Parry Ave, Woodleigh, Strathmore Road, Happy Avenue in Aljunied, and Jalan Bunga Rampai in Bartley.
Closed: Beaches
All beaches in Singapore closed, including:
- East Coast Park
- Changi Beach Park
- Pasir Ris Park
- Punggol Point Park
- Sembawang Park
- West Coast Park
- St John’s Island
- Lazarus Island
- Kusu Island
Closed: Some parks and park connectors
NParks yesterday (Apr 11) added to the number of park facilities that are closed. Parts of Jurong Lake Gardens and the lawn at Eco Lake in Singapore Botanic Gardens is now shut as well. MacRitchie TreeTop Walk, Southern Ridges could be closed too, according to NParks’ latest advisory.
- Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: Closure of Exhibition Hall
- Jurong Lake Gardens: Closure of Lakeside Field, Butterfly Field, and the Oval
- Pulau Ubin: Closure of Nature Gallery, Chek Jawa Visitor Centre and Ubin camping areas and campsites
- Sembawang Hot Spring Park: Closure of hot spring stations
- Singapore Botanic Gardens: Closure of National Orchid Garden, Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Heritage Museum, Ethnobotany Centre, Library, CDL Green Gallery, Seed Bank and lawn at Eco Lake
- Sisters’ Islands Marine Park: Closure of Marine Park Public Gallery
- Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Mangrove: Closure of Mangrove and Nature Galleries
- Some park connectors
Closed: Public fitness facilities, dog runs and more.
Public fitness and recreational facilities have been closed since the circuit breaker measures kicked in on Apr 7. These include fitness corners/stations, playgrounds/nature play gardens, dog runs, fishing areas, football fields and basketball/volleyball court facilities, and water play/water recreational facilities.
Closed: Stadiums
Open-air stadiums have been shut since Apr 10. Fifteen stadiums had initially remained open even as circuit breaker measures kicked in on Apr 7, but due to persistent crowds, they are now shut until further notice.
- Bedok Stadium
- Bishan Stadium
- Bukit Gombak Stadium
- Choa Chu Kang Stadium
- Clementi Stadium
- Home of Athletics
- Hougang Stadium
- Jurong West Stadium
- MOE (Evans) Stadium
- Queenstown Stadium
- Serangoon Stadium
- Toa Payoh Stadium
- Woodlands Stadium
- Yio Chu Kang Stadium
- Yishun Stadium
What not to do outdoors
If you absolutely need to head out for exercise, there are a few things to know.
#1: Before you go: Check https://safedistparks.nparks.gov.sg/ which not only shows in real-time the crowd levels at parks, but also what’s closed.
#2: When you’re out: “Gathering in groups in parks for social or recreational activities such as having picnics, group exercising, kite-flying, bird singing, cycling, mountain biking or playing games like frisbee and football are not permitted,” according to NParks’ latest advisory.
#3: After you’re done exercising: Go straight home after your work out.
$300 fines for flouting safe distancing rules
Stiffer penalties will be meted out to those caught flouting safe distancing rules. First-time offenders will be fined $300. Repeat offenders will face higher fines or prosecution in court.
Photos: Singapore Land Authority, Lawrence Wong and Masagos Zulkifli’s Facebook pages
