Safe distancing: Websites launched for public to check crowd levels at malls, parks

SINGAPORE — Those heading out to buy daily essentials can now get information on the crowd situation at shopping malls across Singapore through a website called Space Out.

“This helps the public make informed choices on where and when to make their essential purchases and maintain safe distancing, as they are less likely to visit malls that are very crowded or those that have reached maximum operating capacity,” the Urban Redevelopment Authority said in a media statement on Sunday (April 5).

The website shows a map of Singapore where each mall is represented by a coloured circle.

Those that are in green are not crowded. A yellow circle denotes that there is some crowd at the mall while an orange circle would mean that the mall is crowded.

A red circle means that the shopping centre is at maximum capacity, while malls with no crowd level information available will be in grey.

Among the participating malls are those from AsiaMalls such as Century Square in Tampines and Hougang Mall, and those under the CapitaLand umbrella such as Bedok Mall and Plaza Singapura. Other mall operators on board include Far East, Frasers Property, the Housing and Development Board, Lendlease and Mapletree.

Separately, the National Parks Board (NParks) has also developed a webpage that allows the public to check on the crowd levels at parks near their homes.

It also shows a map where parks are represented by coloured circles.

A green reading means that there is low visitorship at the park, while a yellow reading shows that there is a moderate amount of people there.

An orange reading means that the park is already crowded and members of the public are advised against visiting the area.

Posting on his Facebook page on Saturday, Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee advised Singaporeans to go to the parks only with their immediate family members and “not with friends and other people at this time”.

“This is absolutely vital, because only if we reduce social interactions at this critical time to a bare minimum will we be able to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission,” said Mr Lee.