Entry restrictions at malls: Is fire safety at stake?

The management teams of some shopping centres and food courts are leaving only some entrances and exits on the ground floors open, locking all other points of entry or exit.

This is to comply with occupancy limits to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Some entrances and exits, such as those at People’s Park Centre, are even locked from the outside with chains.

Without the proper cutting tools, mall and food court patrons will not be able to force the doors open if a fire breaks out.  

There have been reports of crowded malls of late and the repercussions of a fire would be unthinkable. 

Do shopping complexes consider fire safety when restricting access into their premises? And are the authorities working with malls to ensure that fire safety is not compromised as they roll out entry restrictions?

I hope the Building and Construction Authority and the Singapore Civil Defence Force can determine if these measures at shopping centres compromise fire safety and potentially endanger the lives of the public.

Have views on this issue or a news topic you care about? Send your letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.