Marina Bay New Year countdown: Police temporarily restrict access to several areas due to large crowds

SINGAPORE: Police restricted access to several areas in Singapore's Marina Bay area on Saturday night (Dec 31) as part of crowd control measures for the New Year countdown. 

Up to six areas were closed earlier - Fullerton Waterfront (including Merlion Park), Jubilee Bridge, Marina Bay Sands Waterfront, Esplanade Waterfront, Mist Walk and The Promontory.

In its last update on the situation at about 1.40am on Sunday, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) tweeted that the crowd situation has eased around Marina Bay and that all areas have been reopened to the public.

The countdown party was Singapore's first since COVID-19 restrictions cancelled the last two events.

In anticipation of large crowds, the police earlier this week advised people to check crowd levels online, at Crowd@MarinaBay, before heading down to join the festivities.

The online information showed real-time crowd levels and area closures, as well as features such as alternate walking paths.

The first closure of an area that had reached full capacity was at about 8.10pm when SPF tweeted that it shut access to Merlion Park.

"Members of the public are advised to avoid the area," it added.

Merlion Park reopened to the public at about 8.50pm when the crowd situation eased, but police said at about 11.10pm that access to six areas have been closed.

Police officers, auxiliary police officers and security officers were deployed to manage crowds at various locations such as The Promontory, One Fullerton/Merlion Park, Esplanade Park, Esplanade Waterfront Promenade and Marina Bay Sands Waterfront Promenade.

"When the capacity of these areas reaches planned safety thresholds, these areas will be closed to ensure the safety of members of the public," SPF said on Tuesday.

Members of the public were advised to take public transport to Marina Bay due to limited parking spaces in the area. Police also warned that vehicles parked in the buildings located within the closed roads may not be able to exit during the road closure periods.

Enhanced Mobicams, which feature static police cameras, blinkers, speakers and electronic signs, were placed in crowded areas to monitor crowd levels.

Officers from various police units were also deployed to enhance patrols during the countdown.

Additionally, police said drones will be used during the countdown to assist in crowd control. They will be only flown over water by specially trained officers.