Online map lets you track real-time crowd levels in S'pore malls to avoid queueing outside

Check before you go.

Nigel Chua | May 15, 2021, 02:24 PM

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Occupancy limits at public places such as shopping malls and showrooms will be reduced from the current limit of 10sqm per person of Gross Floor Area (GFA), to 16sqm per person, as Singapore enters "Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)" from May 16.

This means that shoppers may have to be refused entry if they visit at a time where the malls or showrooms have reached full capacity.

Which is why a crowd-tracking website first launched before the Circuit Breaker measures, in Apr. 2020, might now come in handy once again.

Space Out, a website by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in collaboration with retail mall operators, allows users to check crowd levels before heading down to malls and other public places, such as supermarkets, post offices, and markets.

Real-time updates

Each location is represented on the map by a coloured circle – green (not crowded), yellow (some crowd), orange (crowded), and red (max).

Screenshot via SpaceOut.gov.sg

URA said in its Apr. 2020 media release that the crowd levels are derived based on the data from retail malls on shopper traffic and the safe distancing guidelines for retail malls by Enterprise Singapore (ESG).

Besides the current crowd level, users can also check the historical trend of crowd levels at each location.

Screenshot via Space Out website.

They can also check the crowd level at nearby locations.

Screenshot via Space Out website.

Can check crowds at supermarkets, post offices, and markets

Apart from mall data, the website also allows for users to see the crowd levels for supermarkets, post offices and markets as well.

Crowd level for supermarkets. Screenshot via SpaceOut.gov.sg

Neat.

Top photo via Spaceout.gov.sg