Istana open house event postponed as Singapore returns to Phase 2 (heightened alert)
The Istana is typically open to the public on five days each year. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the grounds have been closed to the public since February 2020.
SINGAPORE — The Istana open house event on Aug 1 will be postponed to a later date, after the announcement that Singapore will return to Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) on Thursday (July 22).
The President's Office announced on July 13 that the Istana would open on Aug 1 — the first time it would have welcomed visitors in about 18 months — as it celebrates National Day.
"We apologise for any inconveniences caused," said the President's Office on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Covid-19 multi-ministry task force announced tightened Covid-19 measures, including smaller group sizes to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) is set to run from Thursday to Aug 18.
The Istana is typically open to the public on five days each year. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the grounds have been closed to the public since February last year.
A scheduled opening of the Istana on May 13 this year to celebrate Hari Raya Puasa and Labour Day was cancelled after measures were tightened amid a spike in Covid-19 cases.
The open house on Aug 1 was only for ticket holders of the cancelled May event, the President's Office said last week in response to CNA's queries.
A total of 4,000 free tickets were allotted for the May open house, a spokesperson said. CNA
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