Over 500 Domestic Helpers Allegedly Gathered at Toa Payoh Town Park Though They Followed Safe-Distancing Measures

On 16 Aug 2020, people staying near Toa Payoh Town Park were shocked when they saw over 500 foreign domestic workers (FDWs) turning up at the park to spend some time with their friends.

Most of them had stayed within groups of five or less and seated more than 1-metre apart from other groups.

However, there are still some who were spotted flitting from group to group, just like that walking Friendster you used to have in your clique back in secondary school, and a group of 12 who were spotted sitting together.

People were, of course, concerned.

What if there’s an infection? Will this park be closed?! 

That was the reaction from the employees at Oasis Taiwan Porridge, an eatery within the park.

After all, if the park was closed, this means their business is as good as dead, unless people call for delivery, that is.

We Feel Targeted

A foreign domestic worker who was there to celebrate a friend’s birthday was told by members of the public three times to move away, despite them not breaking any Covid-19 regulations.

The FDWs understand the new regulations, she said, and they made sure to sit more than one-metre apart between groups.

She shared that she doesn’t know why they were targeted.

If the report is to be believed, a member of the public had even gone to the police who told her that as long as the FDWs sat one-metre apart between groups, there is “no problem”.

Centre for Domestic Employees: Be More Understanding, Please

The Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) has asked for members of the public to be more understanding.

They said that long before the pandemic happened, Toa Payoh Town Park has long been a gathering place for these domestic workers.

This is the domestic workers’ single day of rest after a week of hard work, they said.

Meanwhile, they are also hard at work advising the domestic workers about the regulations in Phase Two.

NParks: Most Are Been Obeying Safe Distancing Measures

Now, if you’re wondering whether NParks, the agency which usually introduces rulebreakers to smackdowns like you’ll never believe is going to force the domestic workers away from the park, here’s what they have to say.

Most park visitors have been obeying safe distancing measures.

Those who have to be reminded to follow the rules were “cooperative”.

There are safe-distancing ambassadors and enforcement officers at the park to assist NPark officers.

In short, the domestic workers are way better than the crowds at East Coast Park, which turned aggressive and ignored loudhailers that were set up for them.

Maybe some of us could stand to learn a thing or two from them when it comes to following safe distancing measures, huh?