Last Tuesday (April 21), Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong said that localised restrictions will be imposed in popular areas to “thin out the crowds and reduce transmission risks.”
Supermarkets and wet markets are identified as some of the “popular areas,” where people tend to gather and safe distancing is difficult to enforce.
He added that the localised restrictions will limit entry to odd or even days, and shoppers must present their NRIC, FIN or other identification forms to enter.
Four popular markets started implementing this restricted entry on April 22, but it seems like this measure has been extended to supermarkets as well.
According to flagship Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao, NTUC shoppers now have to scan their NRICs or provide their details via a QR code on the SafeEntry portal as part of contact tracing efforts.
This is implemented at 148 FairPrice outlets, including FairPrice supermarkets, FairPrice Xtra, FairPrice Finest and FairPrice Shop.
Some of the affected NTUC FairPrice outlets include the ones at Whitesands, Junction 8, Tanjong Pagar Plaza and Serangoon North Ave 1.
Even NTUC FairPrice outlets at Bukit Batok and Choa Chu Kang that are not listed as high traffic are also affected.
Previously, the Ministry of Trade and Industry only advised malls and supermarkets with high traffic to conduct temperature screening and record shoppers’ particulars.
Now that this entry restriction has been expanded, it’s advisable to bring along your NRIC when you’re heading out to the supermarkets, regardless if the outlet you intend to visit is high traffic.
Do also make it a point to visit the supermarkets alone if you ever need to make a trip.
Featured Image Credit: Singapore Business Review