Busking restrictions eased at four sites along Orchard Road, except on Christmas Eve: SPF, NAC

Busking activities will be allowed to take place at The Heeren, 313@Somerset, Knightsbridge and Mandarin Gallery except on Christmas Eve, announced the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Tuesday (Nov 29).

This was in light of more measures put in place for crowd control by various stakeholders, along with cooperation from buskers to ensure public safety, said the SPF.

Earlier this month, NAC had initially announced that buskers were not allowed to perform from 7pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays outside seven locations. Large crowds were expected at these places during the festive season given the lifting of COVID-19 safe management measures and the resumption of travel.

A joint engagement session with the busking community facilitated by the SPF and National Arts Council (NAC) was conducted on Tuesday. Both organisations and the community reviewed crowd control measures that allowed for the relaxing of busking restrictions at selected locations along Orchard Road.

According to the NAC, buskers will be allowed to perform from 10am to 10pm throughout the week at the four sites.

On Christmas Eve, buskers will only be allowed to perform till 7pm. SPF explained the Orchard Road area is expected to be extremely crowded then, “as seen in previous years (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic)”.

Busking activities at ION Orchard, Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City A and Ngee Ann City B will still need to end by 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays, from Dec 9 to Dec 31.

On Dec 31, busking activities at five sites along Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade and Mist Walk will be restricted as well.

Busking activities can take place from 10am to 7pm at Breeze Shelter A and B, and Mist Walk A, B and C, according to NAC.

“With the return of the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown (MBSC) this year, which includes fireworks, much larger crowds are expected around the Marina Bay on New Year’s Eve,” explained SPF.

As part of crowd management measures, open spaces will be closed when crowds reach a certain level to prevent an overcrowding situation. 

Busking at other sites including Empress Place and Esplanade Park can continue without restrictions, said SPF.