NUSS removes segregation of toilets & changing rooms for vaccinated & unvaccinated users

SportSG advised NUSS that the segregation was not necessary.

Ashley Tan| August 14, 2021, 03:49 PM

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Notices put up by the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) at its club houses caused much backlash after photos of it were posted to social media.

The notice required vaccinated and unvaccinated people to be segregated, which led to accusations of discrimination.

NUSS initially confirmed that the measures were in line with Sport Singapore (SportSG) guidelines, but recently removed the notices after SportSG clarified that the segregation was not necessary.

"Only for vaccinated users"

A photo of the NUSS notice was first posted to Facebook on Aug. 11 by one Abdul Salim Harun.

The notice stated that only vaccinated individuals were allowed to enter the changing rooms and toilets at the sports complex.

Another notice, which is not pictured, designated another set of changing rooms and toilets for unvaccinated individuals.

Salim accused NUSS of practising "open discrimination". The photo was also shared by opposition politician Lim Tean.

SportSG guidelines say vaccinated people and other users should not "mix"

On the same day, NUSS affirmed that the notice was in line with government regulations, including those put out by SportSG for its sports facilities.

NUSS cited SportSG guidelines, which stated that vaccinated individuals should not "mix" with other users "for the entire time they are within the facility". This includes when they use common areas such as changing rooms and toilets.

NUSS also clarified that only the toilets in the sports complexes within its club houses were segregated. The remaining toilets located at NUSS' three clubhouses outside of the sports complex were free for people to use, vaccinated or otherwise.

Notices will be removed

However, the next day on Aug. 12, NUSS provided another update on the situation.

SportSG had advised NUSS that it was not necessary to segregate vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in toilets and changing rooms.

NUSS added that they will thus remove the notices. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests will be allowed to use the facilities in the sports complex.

Currently, various vaccination-differentiated measures are in place for a range of activities.

Unvaccinated people are not allowed to dine in at restaurants and eateries unless that they test negative for Covid-19. They can only dine in at hawker centres and coffee shops.

Indoor mask-off, high-intensity activities and classes in gyms and fitness studios can resume only for vaccinated participants.

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Top photo from Abdul Salim Harun / FB and Shin Min Daily News