Singapore Pools Outlets Will Close Till 4 May
Update (4 Apr): Responding to MS News queries, Singapore Pools announced that all online betting services will be suspended along with the closure of all physical outlets.
4D draws for today (4 Apr) and Sunday (5 Apr) will still go on but subsequent ones will be cancelled for the time being.
The TOTO draw on next Monday (6 Apr) will be cancelled. Punters who placed bets for the draw are advised to hold on to their tickets. Subsequent draws will also be cancelled.
Punters can still claim their prizes until next Monday (6 Apr). Singapore Pools also said that the “price claim period” will be prolonged in light of the closure. More details will be revealed at a later date.
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In light of the increasing number of daily new local Covid-19 cases, the Singapore Government on Friday (3 Apr) announced a series of “circuit breaker” measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
One of the major measures to be implemented is the closure of all workplaces, except those providing essential services. Those that will remain open are:
- Clinics & hospitals
- Food establishments
- Key banking services
- Markets & supermarkets
- Social services
- Energy
- Water/waste/environmental
- Transportation/logs/storage
- Info/communications industries
- Security
- Facilities management/public infrastructure
- Manufacturing essential to security/sustenance/safety
- Hardware
- Pets
- Vehicle repair services
That’s a pretty long list. But some have wondered whether Singapore Pools will remain open. After all, many would consider the services it provides ‘essential’.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the answer’s no. Singapore Pools will be closed.
The “shocking” revelation was made by Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong in response to a Lianhe Zaobao reporter’s “light-hearted” query during an e-presser on Friday (3 Apr).
Singapore Pools outlets closed from 7 Apr
Mr Wong, who co-chairs the ministerial taskforce in charge of the Covid-19 outbreak, sternly told the cameras that all Singapore Pools outlets will be closed from next Tuesday (7 Apr) as they are not classified as “essential services”.
The closure will last at least till 4 May, according to Lianhe Zaobao.
Mr Wong, however, did not mention if Singaporeans could still place bets online.
MS News has reached out to Singapore Pools with regard to this.
Hope Singaporeans would adhere to existing advisories
While punters may feel disappointed that they may no longer be able to enjoy the thrill of placing their 4D and Toto bets, we hope they understand the importance of these temporary yet necessary measures needed to curb the spread of the virus.
Let’s adhere to the government’s guidelines closely. The sooner we get through this, the sooner we can resume our normal lives.
Featured image adapted from Wikipedia.
