If you remember the announcement for increased security checks last month — where police deployment was significantly increased for popular tourist hotspots like Orchard and Esplanade over terror threat rumours — this practice is going to persevere throughout the Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown as well.
Forty concrete blocks weighing a tonne each will be installed to dam traffic movements during key events such as the CNY countdown party on Jan 27.
Previously, metal barricades were employed, but the current arrangements were made after incidents of terror attacks were planned or took place during Christmas overseas.
Dr Lily Neo, adviser to the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng grassroots organisation in charge of planning this event, stated that Eu Tong Sen street and New Bridge Road will be closed off to prevent vehicles from entering, and that “MHA has already told us that they will put extra vigilance (with) more security devices and security officers on the ground for our festivals.”
On the brighter side of things, this year’s celebrations will feature over 5,500 lanterns handcrafted by Singapore University of Technology and Design students for the Year of the Rooster. These will depict the bird at its various stages of life — from a chick to ultimately maturing to a 13-metre tall rooster as the centrepiece of the display.
