NDP to proceed but Mindef to review scale and safe management measures: Lawrence Wong

SINGAPORE — Even as Singapore moves back to Phase 2 (heightened alert) to curb a rise in community Covid-19 cases, the National Day Parade (NDP) will continue as planned with the authorities reviewing how it will be conducted with safe management practices in place. 

Responding to a question at a press conference, co-chair of the Government’s Covid-19 task force Lawrence Wong said that National Day, which falls on Aug 9, is an “important national event (and) not just any other occasion”.

“As of now, we do intend to continue with the National Day Parade,” he said, adding that the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) is reviewing how the parade will be conducted, its scale as well as all the necessary safe management measures.

This will ensure that any rehearsal or events leading up to the parade can be carried out safely, Mr Wong, who is also Finance Minister, said.

More details will be announced later, he added.

Mindef announced last month that the parade will return to The Float@Marina Bay on Aug 9 — albeit on a smaller scale compared with pre-pandemic years. There would be fewer spectators and participants than usual at Singapore’s 56th birthday bash.

The number of spectators would be finalised later, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on June 28. 

All parade participants and spectators must also be fully vaccinated. 

Before Covid-19 hit, parades at the floating platform typically involved 25,000 spectators and 14,000 participants, volunteers and crew. 

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