CROWDS and jams are expected at the upcoming traditional Qing Ming festival.

Visitors who want to avoid possible congestions at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and the columbaria at Mandai, Yishun, Mount Vernon and Choa Chu Kang are advised to avoid the peak hours of 6am to noon and take public transport, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in a statement.

The NEA expects huge crowds on the actual festival on April 5, as well as Good Friday on April 2, especially at the cemetery and columbaria on the five Sundays from this weekend to March 28, and April 4, 11 and 18.

The columbaria will open 6am to 7pm on these days, and from 7am to 7pm on others. There will be directional signs and instructions given by the police and traffic wardens. Visitors who need help can also approach NEA officers stationed on site.

Heavy vehicles are not allowed into the grounds.

The NEA will provide 990 joss paper metal drums and 22 concrete pits at the sites for the burning of joss paper. It also advised visitors not to leave food offerings behind at graves or niches, as these will attract rats, crows and other pests.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.

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