Coronavirus pandemic

Sports stop from Tuesday

Only 15 SportSG open-air stadiums, public parks to remain open as new measures set in

SportSG open-air stadiums, like the Toa Payoh Stadium (above) which has lane segregation, will remain open. But the multi-ministry task force reminded the public to practise safe distancing even in open spaces. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
SportSG open-air stadiums, like the Toa Payoh Stadium (above) which has lane segregation, will remain open. But the multi-ministry task force reminded the public to practise safe distancing even in open spaces. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH

Sports will officially grind to a halt in Singapore from Tuesday to May 4 as the Government tightens safe distancing measures as a "circuit breaker to pre-empt the trend of increasing local transmission of Covid-19".

On top of other measures, the multi-ministry task force announced yesterday that sports and recreational facilities, such as public pools - including those at 26 Sport Singapore swimming complexes - country clubs, gyms and fitness studios will be closed.

All recreational facilities in hotels will also be shuttered.

While public parks and 15 SportSG open-air stadiums will remain open, the task force reminded the public to practise safe distancing even in open spaces.

It added: "Members of the public who need to exercise should do so on their own, around their immediate neighbourhood, in open, uncrowded places."

A skeletal team of ActiveSG "sport champions" will be deployed to prevent overcrowding, and others will ensure minimum levels of maintenance are carried out to preserve serviceability of the public facilities, especially the swimming pools.

Last month, bowling centres and billiard parlours stopped operating, while the public was also discouraged from playing team sports.

In contrast, private golf clubs experienced as much as a 15 per cent surge in bookings last month compared to February.

The 2018 Singapore Golf Industry Report had noted 46,000 golfers held memberships in the 12 private country clubs here and 55 per cent of them were over the age of 55.

But the Singapore Golf Association told The Straits Times that all 15 courses here will be out of bounds from Tuesday.

Mandai Executive Golf Course general manager Bobby Poh told ST: "This means zero revenue for the company, coaches and tenants. However, we must stand by the Government's decision to close the facilities because we uphold and prioritise social responsibility.

"We are grateful for the Government's rental waiver, but we don't know if the closure will be extended.

"We are also worried about operating costs as we are still paying salaries and high maintenance fees, and are not sure if the Government is providing assistance for this."

Meanwhile, Swiss Club Singapore, which offers tennis, karate, zumba and aqua biking classes besides other recreational activities, is also concerned about the disruption brought by the new measures.

Its general manager Aaron Lim said: "Yes, we are worried about the future of the club, as we are a members' club and providing sports and recreation facilities for our members is our main lifeblood.

"As for our staff, those who can work from home will do so, and we would keep minimal kitchen and service staff at our food kiosk. We will comply with the Government advisory and close all our sports and recreation facilities."

But some, like Fit Eleven operations director Kurt Drysdale, had expected the closures and had been prepared for the move since January, when his fitness studio suffered a 25 per cent dip in profits.

He said: "We plan to film online classes for our customers. Around 80 per cent of our instructors are freelancers... we plan to help them financially by getting them to teach the online classes. I can help some, but not all."

Swimming academies will also take a huge hit as their business grinds to a halt.

SwimFast Aquatic Group, which has more than 1,000 registered swimmers across venues at three schools, had stopped lessons since last Monday and will comply with the latest directive.

SwimFast managing director David Lim said: "We will continue paying our employees, who include 18 full-time coaches and administrative staff, but we cannot afford to do so indefinitely when we are not able to resume lessons.

"We hope the Government is able to help companies like us, even as we figure out ways to cover overhead costs."

A SportSG spokesman also confirmed with ST that official training for national athletes will be suspended, while the Singapore Sports Hub will also shut its sports facilities over the same period.

Singapore Swimming Association president Lee Kok Choy said his team of coaches and athletes are working closely to implement training plans and regimens to ensure the athletes are exercising at home, eating right and sleeping right.

He added: "The focus is to ensure the athletes are in excellent condition to resume full training when the conditions allow."


This article has been edited for clarity.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 04, 2020, with the headline Sports stop from Tuesday. Subscribe