People’s Voice (PV) Party chief Lim Tean on Wednesday (11 Aug) slammed the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) for disallowing unvaccinated individuals from using public toilets in its sports facilities, saying that it is “deeply offensive”.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Mr Lim said he was astounded to see a photo of a noticeboard put up at NUSS, which reads: “These changing rooms/toilets are only for vaccinated users”.
“I find it deeply offensive to think that those who are not vaccinated cannot use a public toilet! I expect better from NUSS!” he wrote.
In response to the matter, NUSS issued a statement on Facebook noting that its demarcation of the toilets and changing rooms for vaccinated and unvaccinated users in its sports complex is in compliance with Sport Singapore’s (SportSG) directives and guidelines.
It explained that NUSS manages facilities in its three clubhouses, including food and beverage outlets and sports facilities.
“As the guidance applies only to sports facilities, only the toilets and changing rooms in the sports complex are so demarcated. The toilets at locations in NUSS’ three clubhouses other than those in the Sports Complex do not make such a demarcation as the regulations, directives and guidelines do not require it to do so,” said NUSS.
SportSG’s directives
According to SportSG’s advisory dated 7 August 2021, individuals who do not have their vaccination status verified will be denied participation in indoor unmasked activities, adding that permitted enterprises are required to set up proper checking protocol at their access control points.
It noted that the enterprises are responsible to conduct checks on the vaccination status of all staff and participants, and they need to ensure that every person who enters their premises have their vaccination status checked and recorded manually or electronically.
“Facilities that do not implement checks on vaccination status will not be allowed to conduct unmasked indoor activities or provide common equipment. These facilities may only continue to conduct indoor masked activities without provision of equipment,” it stated.
SportSG further noted that enterprises will have to “ensure that vaccinated individuals who participate in such activities do not mix with other users for the entire time they are within the facility (including in common areas such as changing rooms and toilets)”.
“In such situations, the individuals from different categories should be clearly marked by use of coloured wrist tags or passes or some other form of differentiating identification,” it said.
Netizens condemn move to disallow unvaccinated persons from using public toilets
Meanwhile, a handful of netizens commenting on Mr Lim’s post condemned the government’s move to disallow unvaccinated persons from using public toilets, with some even find it “divisive” and a form of “discrimination”.
“Stupid way of doing things. Whether one is vaccinated or not still has the right to be equal in using amenities such as a toilet..” said a netizen.
