You might have come across a video depicting a woman who walked around Geylang Serai Market and lamented about the crowd control measures.
However, instead of complaining that there were too many people in the market that would contravene safe distancing rules, the woman was instead upset by how empty the market was, while a long queue of shoppers waited outside.
Commenting on the video, and in response to Mothership's queries, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said that the woman in the video might not understand how the crowd management system works at the market.
Capacity limit at markets depends on types of stalls & layout
Markets are considered one of the essential services, and as such, stalls are allowed to remain open during the circuit breaker period.
In order to ensure sufficient space within the market to allow for safe distancing by shoppers, controlled entry and exit points have been put in place at several markets, including Geylang Serai Market.
The number of shoppers who can enter each market at any time is based on the number of stalls at the market.
This is because crowds tend to be concentrated at the frontage of the market stalls.
The layout of the market is also considered to see how crowds can be best dispersed in the market.
Some stalls which are not essential are closed
However, some stalls in the market might be closed as they are not essential services providers, including piece and sundry stalls.
Therefore, certain aisles within the market might appear to be emptier than those with vegetable or seafood stalls, which remain open.
This capacity limit is needed to ensure enough space for shoppers to maintain the one-metre separation between one another, especially when they are at the stall front making their selection or purchase, NEA added.
NEA highlighted that the crowd management system is necessary to protect the health of shoppers and hawkers, and to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
Crowd management is important, please be socially responsible
Mothership understands that the crowd management has been an improvement in ensuring safe distancing in Geylang Serai Market since April 8.
The crowd management team at the market will continue to work on the public feedback and glitches that they face on the first two days.
"We are conscious that this could cause queues to form outside the market.
This is why personnel have been deployed to ensure safe distancing for patrons in the queues outside the market, and advance notice of these crowd management measures was also given so that regular patrons can make adjustments to their visits to the markets.
Since last week, NEA has also been issuing advisories to encourage patrons to visit markets during weekdays and non-peak hours, which will help to further even out the market crowd."
NEA also said that the public, including the woman who posted the video, is reminded not to instigate actions that run counter to, or that will undermine, the work that public officers and other staff are doing to ensure the smooth execution of Covid-19 safe distancing measures.
Top photo via by Ridwan Ash Siddiq/Facebook.