The Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple along Waterloo Street will close earlier on Chinese New Year’s Eve on 31 January and there will be no midnight incense offerings.
The temple is famous for their annual incense offering event on Chinese New Year’s eve, where devotees rush to place joss sticks in the urn to usher in the Chinese New Year.
It is believed that the first person to put their joss stick into the urn will have an auspicious year ahead.
However, it appears that this year the event is cancelled again, given the situation of the pandemic.
The temple will be operational on Chinese New Year eve from 7am to 12.30pm, then 1pm to 6.30pm; before closing on the first two days of Chinese New Year.
A cap of 50 people inside the temple at any one time will be implemented as well as safe distancing measures including an entry system based on the odd and even NRIC numbers of the visitors.
Offerings like fresh flowers and fruits are also not accepted at the temple.