PAP suspends physical Meet-the-People sessions as Covid-19 community cases rise

SINGAPORE — The People’s Action Party (PAP) has advised its branches to suspend their physical Meet-the-People sessions (MPS) and conduct them via phone or virtually instead.

This is to "minimise exposure of residents and volunteers", given the rise in the number of unlinked community cases of Covid-19 infection, PAP said in a statement on Sunday (May 2).

"The health and safety of our residents and volunteers is paramount. These measures, though inconvenient, are a reassurance of that," the party said.

Of the 39 new cases recorded on Sunday, 14 are community infections with 11 of them linked to the cluster at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Ms Indranee Rajah, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), announced the suspension of her in-person sessions in a Facebook post on Sunday.

She encouraged her residents to send MPS appeals via email. Those without email access can send their appeal letters to her MPS venues at Kim Tian Road or Tanjong Pagar Plaza.

Residents who need urgent consultations can book a virtual consultation via WhatsApp or text.

MP for Marine Parade GRC Tan Chuan-Jin has also issued an advisory to his residents, asking them to email or send him their concerns on WhatsApp.

TODAY sent queries to the Workers' Party on whether it will similarly be suspending its physical sessions with residents.

The Aljunied-Hougan Town Council responded that since the resumption of physical MPS last August, the MPs and volunteers have implemented the necessary safe management measures, which were as advised by the National Environment Agency (NEA).

"These measures have been strictly complied with at all times," it said. "The Aljunied-Hougang MPs will comply with new guidelines from NEA pertaining to the execution of physical MPS, if any, arising from current developments of the Covid-19 situation."

Sengkang Town Council MPs said they, too, have been complying strictly with the guidelines issued by the NEA for their activities, including MPS. They added that they will continue to do so and keep residents updated should there be any changes.