Singapore — “What is Covid,” a member of the public wrote in a TikTok video, describing the New Year’s gathering at Clarke Quay.
On Sunday (Jan 2), the task force highlighted “blatant breaches” of safe management measures at the gathering. The multi-ministry task force for Covid-19 has also called the event a “potential superspreader.”
Videos posted on short video creation app TikTok during the weekend got netizens expressing concern at the possible Covid-19 transmission from the gathering in front of Riverside Point on Dec 31, 2021.
“Point of view: You are too old to celebrate New Year’s at Clarke Quay,” wrote TikTok user @shihanahnafshoeb, sharing a video of the situation.
“I feel tired just watching this,” a netizen commented on the video, garnering over 1,000 likes.
The video showed crowds cheering as they greeted the new year.
Another video uploaded by TikTok user @imnosimpp showed a closer view of the gathering during the count down.
Responding to the incident, the task force noted that enforcement agencies were looking into the matter.
It noted in a Channel News Asia report on Sunday (Jan 2) that many countries suspended or curtailed such events for year-end 2021.
“We would like to remind everyone that we are still in the middle of a pandemic crisis, and we still need to exercise civic responsibility,” said the task force.
Singapore has done what it can to “build up our resilience,” it added.
Authorities urge the public to follow Covid-19 safety measures so that “the situation will continue to improve, and we can look forward to 2022 being a significantly more normal year.”
A Clarke Quay representative also commented on the incident, noting the gathering was “impromptu” and did not happen at CapitaLand’s Clarke Quay property but at buildings in the Clarke Quay precinct.
“Safety of our customers is our top priority,” the representative said, encouraging revellers to “have a good time responsibly.” /TISG
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