With the Qing Ming Festival coming up on 5 April this year, some of us may have already started making plans with our relatives regarding when to pay respects to our deceased family members.
However, if you’re driving to Choa Chu Kang Columbarium or Mandai Columbarium on selected dates, you will need to book an e-appointment in order to park your vehicle within the columbarium’s premises.
Here’s why.
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NEA’s Announcement to Cope With Crowds During Qing MingÂ
Just today (24 February), the National Environmental Agency (NEA) uploaded a statement stating that the peak period for people to pay respects will be from 18 March to 16 April, especially on the weekends.
According to NEA, most people will be visiting the columbaria at Choa Chu Kang, Mandai and Yishun, as well as the Choa Chu Kang cemetery on Qing Ming Festival itself (5 April) and Good Friday (7 April).
Hence, NEA encouraged members of the public to visit the columbaria or cemeteries during off-peak periods in order to avoid overcrowding.
Apart from that, NEA added that “the opening hours for Government-managed columbaria at Choa Chu Kang, Mandai and Yishun will be extended to 24 hours” from 18 March to 16 April.
However, the Garden of Peace at Choa Chu Kang will not be open to most visitors on weekends, Qing Ming Festival and Good Friday; only approved visitors will be allowed into the premises.
Dates and Timings That Require Bookings
Additionally, NEA also revealed that those driving to the Choa Chu Kang and Mandai Columbaria would have to book e-appointment slots to park their cars at the columbaria.
Those driving to the Choa Chu Kang Columbarium must book an appointment if they are visiting between 6 am and 4 pm on the following dates: 18, 19, 25, 26 March and 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16 April.
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As for people who will be driving to Mandai Columbarium, they will have to book an appointment to park their car if they are visiting between 6 am and 6 pm from 18 March to 16 April.
The slots are in two-hour intervals and start at 6 am. Additionally, those driving to the columbaria outside the dates mentioned above and times do not need to book slots.
Members of the public can start booking their slots from 10 am on 6 March onwards here.
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Shuttle Bus Services Available
Apart from that, NEA also disclosed that shuttle bus services would be provided on peak visiting days (18, 19, 25, and 26 March, as well as 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 15, and 16 April).
The pick-up and drop-off points for the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Columbarium Complex will be at NEA’s former Claims & Registration Office (2 Christian Cemetery Path 2) and Choa Chu Kang Columbarium (51 Chinese Cemetery Path 4) respectively.
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On the other hand, the pick-up and drop-off points for Mandai Cemetery will be at Khatib MRT Station (Exit A pick-up point) and near the pedestrian gate of Mandai Columbarium along Mandai Avenue respectively.
Real-time traffic updates will also be provided for both columbaria on NEA’s website.
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