Busking Despite On-going COVID-19 Situation
Ministry of Culture, Community and YouthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang’s inquiry regarding when busking activities can resume and the reasons for current restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong Chun Fai stated that the government is exploring busking pilots at selected venues to test safe management measures and audience distance requirements. He explained that a cautious approach is necessary because singing and wind instruments pose higher transmission risks, while crowd management in ungated spaces remains a challenge. In the interim, the ministry is promoting digital platforms and upskilling through initiatives with the National Arts Council and virtual workshops to help buskers reach audiences. Lastly, the Minister encouraged the public to support the local arts community through digital attendance and donations while physical performances remain limited.
Transcript
61 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether buskers can start busking again; (b) if so when; and (c) if not, why not.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: I thank the Member for raising this topic. Our buskers enliven Singapore’s streets and neighbourhoods, and busking has become a platform for them to creatively express themselves and share their talents. Thus, my Ministry is also keen to allow busking to resume under safe public health conditions.
MCCY and MOH are exploring busking pilots to test out the safe management measures required for busking. These pilots would be held at selected venues, where we are confident that venue managers will be able to comply with the necessary measures and maintain the safe distances required for audiences and the performers.
We are adopting a cautious approach with busking because there are specific challenges that we have to address. Firstly, most busking activities involve singing, wind or brass instruments – all which bear higher risks of virus transmission as they require the expulsion of air. Secondly, there is also the challenge of crowd management and maintaining the safe distance of audiences in ungated spaces. Nevertheless, we will continue to identify measures and ways to resume busking activities safely.
In the meantime, we urge buskers, like other artists, to reach out to audiences through digital means and take this opportunity to continue upskilling. Since April 2020, NAC, *SCAPE and the Singapore Buskers' Association have worked with different online partners such as Twitch.tv, and Circles.Life to enable buskers to bring their content to audiences. We note that Nee Soon East Community Club has introduced e-busking initiatives and welcome more of such opportunities. In October, NAC also organised a virtual talk for buskers about leveraging digital platforms. Another session will be organised in December 2020 and buskers are encouraged to join.
We also urge members of the public to continue supporting Singapore’s arts and culture community – by attending digital performances and donating to your preferred artists and groups to enable them to continue practising their craft during this difficult period.