Qing Ming Visiting Allowed This Year But There Would Be New Rules Like Limit of 2 Pax Per Household

By
Ashley Seek
-

Chinese New Year was all about the festive mood.

The food, loved ones and Ang Pows were all great, but every season must come to an end.

While also a festival, the upcoming Qing Ming on 4 April is a lot more sombre.

Basically, it is a day for the Chinese to remember the dead.

Visitors to tombs usually offer food items, willow branches, accessories and other things to them. They will also clean the gravestones of their ancestors.

However, the National Environment Agency (NEA) anticipates visits to start from as early as 20 March, lasting till 18 April.

This means, in preparations for impending crowds, there’s going to be some restrictions in place.

Qing Ming Visiting Allowed This Year But There Would Be New Rules Like Limit of 2 Pax

Bigger families may want to plan their visiting times appropriately.

In a recent update from NEA, this has gone down to only 2 pax per household each visit.

However, the same rule of 8 pax per group will still apply.

This would serve in tandem with the other rules as well.

  • Do not bring elderly family members and young children.
  • No eating and drinking, or prolonging stay at the facilities.
  • Avoid crowding around the prayer and joss paper burning areas at the columbaria.
  • Keep a safe distance of at least 1 metre from other visitors, and wear a mask at all times.
  • Don’t come if you’re sick.

NEA also foresees the largest crowds Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government-managed columbaria at Mandai, Yishun and Choa Chu Kang on weekends, Qing Ming festival and Good Friday (2 April).

So you may want to either prep yourself or choose another day for visitations.

However, visitations have also been extended to 24 hours daily.

Burners will be made available at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government columbaria at Mandai, Yishun and Choa Chu Kang, during this period.

Booking for Mandai Columbarium

With Mandai Columbarium having one of the largest niche occupancies, NEA has also implemented a booking system there.

Starting 6 March, Friday, slots will be released two weeks before peak days.

For March, the peak days are on 20, 21, 27, 28.

For April, they would be on 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18.

And during peak days for drivers, only vehicles with bookings will be able to enter, so better start booking quickly.

Drivers can also check here for constant traffic updates.

Those taking public transports do not need a booking.

Shuttle Bus Service

For those going to Mandai or Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and Columbarium Complex during said peak days or weekends, there’s also an option for a shuttle bus service.

Each trip costs S$1.00 and will be at 15-minute intervals between 7 am to 5 pm.

Pickups for Mandai will be at Khatib MRT Station (Exit A pick-up point) and the rear entrance of Mandai Columbarium along Mandai Avenue.

For CCK, it’ll be at NEA’s Claims & Registration Office (2 Christian Cemetery Path 2) and Choa Chu Kang Columbarium (51 Chinese Cemetery Path 4).

NEA also reminds people to leave trash after visiting to keep the areas clean and prevent any mosquito breeding and rat infestation.

A full list of NEAs guidelines can be found here.

Feature Image: minniemayme /Shutterstock.com

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Ashley Seek
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