People not wearing face masks will not be allowed to enter the 40 markets managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) or NEA-appointed operators from Apr. 12 onwards.

"With re-usable masks being made available to Singapore residents, patrons should don a mask when visiting markets, given the generally crowded and closed-in environment in markets", the NEA said in a press release.

NEA said that the move is to safeguard the well-being of all stallholders and patrons at the markets, which tend to attract crowds over the weekends.

Wet markets are hotspots that need to manage

This move comes after National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said during Apr. 9 press conference that wet markets have become "hotspots that we really need to manage".

While entry to wet markets is now being controlled, Wong said that the consequential build-up of queues was not sustainable.

"One of which is our wet markets. We have kept these wet markets open. But we do know that many Singaporeans are used to going to wet markets on weekends, particularly in the morning."

One solution Wong said was for Singaporeans to change their wet market habits, which is not to visit them on a weekend morning.

Geylang Serai, Jurong West & Yishun hotspots

NEA said that the 40 markets have in place crowd management measures, such as controlled entry and exit points.

NEA also noted that there are however a few hotspots where the markets still attracted big crowds over the weekends.

These markets have long queues formed outside after the allowable capacity of the markets has been reached.

They include the markets at Geylang Serai, Block 505 Jurong West St 52 and Block 104/105 Yishun Ring Road.

If the ground situation at these few hotspots does not improve, NEA would consider even stronger measures to reduce crowding both inside and outside these markets.

NEA's recommendations for market visits

NEA recommends that members of the public do the following during market visits:

• Wear a mask when visiting all markets
• Visit markets on weekdays and non-peak hours on weekends, wherever possible
• Visit markets once a week, and not everyday or even every few days
• Refrain from lingering in the market when buying groceries. Make a list of the items which are required, purchase them promptly and leave the market
• For patrons in vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, NEA strongly encourages them to seek assistance from other members in the household or neighbours should they require to buy food from the market
• Patrons should also consider visiting markets other than these 40 popular ones, which tend to have larger crowds.

List of markets with crowd management measures

Below is the list of the 40 markets with crowd management measures:

1. Tiong Bahru Market
2. Bukit Timah Market
3. Tanglin Halt Market
4. Geylang Serai Market
5. Taman Jurong Market & Food Centre
6. North Bridge Road Market & Food Centre
7. Beo Crescent Market
8. Kallang Estate Market
9. Blk 409 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10
10. Blk 505 Jurong West St 52
11. Blk 13/14 Haig Road
12. Blk 4A Eunos Crescent
13. Blk 104/105 Yishun Ring Road
14. Blk 137 Tampines St 11
15. Blk 630 Bedok Reservoir Rd
16. Blk 209 Hougang St 21
17. Blk 453A Ang Mo Kio Ave 10
18. Blk 527 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10
19. Blk 628 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4
20. Blk 341 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1
21. Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road
22. Blk 29 Bendemeer Road
23. Blk 49 Sims Place
24. Blk 254 Jurong East St 24
25. Blk 448 Clementi Ave 3
26. Blk 50A Marine Terrace
27. Blk 160/162 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4
28. Blk 115 Bukit Merah View
29. Blk 726 Clementi St 2
30. Blk 79 Redhill Lane
31. Blk 105 Hougang Ave 1
32. Blk 16 Bedok South Rd
33. Blk 216 Bedok North St 1
34. Blk 58 New Upp Changi Rd
35. Blk 335 Smith Street
36. Blk 347 Jurong East Ave 1
37. Blk 20/21 Marsiling Lane
38. Blk 665 Buffalo Road
39. Blk 221 A/B Boon Lay Place
40. Blk 127 Toa Payoh Lor 1

Top photo from Masagos Zulkifli Facebook.