Of the 10 condominiums surveyed, most kept their pools open with a maximum of two persons in a group allowed. Some banned visitors and limited the number of persons in the pool at any one time.
With the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) advising condominium management corporations to set up measures that would ensure residents comply with the tightened COVID-19 safety measures, some condominiums not only followed the advisory—they also took additional measures to protect their residents.
On 15 May, BCA issued an advisory telling management corporations to close indoor gymnasiums and fitness studios, outdoor barbecue pits and indoor sports facilities as part of the heightened safety measures from 16 May.
Channel News Asia (CNA) interviewed more than 10 condominiums on Wednesday (19 May).
Of these, most of them had kept their swimming pools open, with a maximum of two persons in a group allowed. This includes the instructor, should there be one. The rule of two is in line with the guidelines set by BCA for high-intensity sports as well as physical activities at outdoor facilities.
CNA reported that some condominiums took further precaution by limiting the number of persons using the pool at any one time or by banning visitors from using their facilities.
“We allow 10 people in the pool at any one time. If there are swimming classes, one coach to one student. Swimmers must use the TraceTogether app before using the pool,” a spokesperson at Clover By the Park in Bishan told CNA.
Chiltern Park in Serangoon has barred visitors from using their facilities since the Singapore government rolled out the tighter COVID-19 measures on 16 May.
“Facilities are to be enjoyed by residents only. We’re looking at Chiltern Park’s safety as priority,” said Chiltern Park’s condominium manager Elsie Fung as quoted by CNA.
“Not allowing outsiders to use our facilities will reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, especially those who come into contact with children.”
She shared that keeping the children safe was the condominium’s top priority when they arrived at the decision.
“Being kiasi and kiasu has its benefits. Residents will feel safer to do recreation activities too,” added Fung.
Over at Regent Heights in Bukit Batok and Parc Centros in Punggol, all facilities have been closed by the condominium management even to residents.
“We have three pools, so there’s also a manpower issue. It’s very hard to ensure residents stick to pairs in the pool. Moreover, it’s the school holidays soon,” explained a spokesperson at Regent Heights as quoted by CNA.
“We’re more concerned for our residents’ health.”
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Cheryl Chiew, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this story, email: cheryl@propertyguru.com.sg
