New operating hours, safety guidelines, and what to see and do at Asian Civilisations Museum, National Gallery Singapore, National Museum of Singapore, and more

When we entered phase two on June 19, religious services and congregations, cultural venues, large-scale events and entertainment venues, which were at risk for large clusters, remained close.

In a press conference on June 15, health minister Gan Kim Yong shared that phase two would be a gradual process towards a new normal in phase three, with these venues gradually resuming operations when they are ready.

It appears that we are now on course towards it, as the National Museum of Singapore, National Gallery Singapore and Asian Civilisations Museum are re-opening on June 26, with the Indian Heritage Centre, Malay Heritage Centre and Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall re-opening a week later on July 3.

As for bibliophiles, the National Library Board (NLB) has announced that all of its libraries will be welcoming the public again on July 1.

Of course, for the safety of the public, safety measures will be put in place at these venues. Here’s what to expect when you visit the libraries and museums in phase two.

Tatler Asia
Above (Image: Darren Gabriel Leow/Tatler Singapore)

1. Asian Civilisations Museum

Re-opening on

June 26, 2020

Opening hours

10 am to 7 pm daily, 10 am to 9 pm on Fridays

What’s open

Visitors can explore the Asian Civilisations Museum’s permanent galleries, which are organised according to the themes of Trade, Faith and Belief, as well as Materials and Design in Asia. Don’t miss the Tang Shipwreck—one of the museum’s most important collection—as well as the new Fashion and Textiles, and Jewellery galleries that opened in April, right before the circuit breaker.

Safety measures

In accordance with the phase two guidelines, SafeEntry and temperature taking will be implemented for visitors, who will have to enter from designated entrances. Visitors are also required to wear a mask and maintain safe distancing of at least one metre at all times, with group visits not exceeding five persons. To reduce waiting time, visitors are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets online.

Find out more at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Tatler Asia
Above (Image: Vernon Raineil Cenzon/Unsplash)

2. National Museum of Singapore

Re-opening on

June 26, 2020

Opening hours

10 am to 7 pm daily

What’s open

Visitors to the National Museum of Singapore can explore all of the museum’s permanent exhibitions, many of which chronicle Singapore’s history through its founding, colonisation and urbanisation. Other interesting exhibitions include Magic and Menace, which explores the theme of magic and supernatural beliefs of Southeast Asia, and Story of the Forest by teamLab, which brings the Malay Peninsula in the 19th century to life through an immersive digital installation.

Safety measures

In accordance with the phase two guidelines, SafeEntry and temperature taking will be implemented for visitors. Visitors are also required to wear a mask and maintain safe distancing of at least one metre at all times, with group visits not exceeding five persons. To reduce waiting time, visitors are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets online.

Find out more at the National Museum of Singapore.

Tatler Asia
Above (Image: National Gallery Singapore)

3. National Gallery Singapore

Re-opening on

June 26, 2020

Opening hours

10 am to 7 pm daily

What’s open

National Gallery Singapore’s long-term exhibitions—with the exception of interactive installations such as City Hall: If Walls Could Talk, Keppel Centre for Art Education and Social Table—will be open. Ongoing exhibitions Latiff Mohidin: Pago Pago, Chua Soo Bin: Truths and Legends, Suddenly Turning Visible: Art & Architecture in Southeast Asia (1969 - 1989) and the Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission: Cao Fei will also be available to visitors. However, programmes and tours, and the loan of devices for Gallery Explorer remain suspended. All F&B outlets will be open, except for the Gallery & Co. cafe and museum shop.

Safety measures

In accordance with the phase two guidelines, SafeEntry and temperature taking will be implemented for visitors, who will have to enter from designated entrances. Visitors are also required to wear a mask and maintain safe distancing of at least one metre at all times, with group visits not exceeding five persons.

Free admission is extended to all visitors until July 31, after which guests are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets online.

Find out more at National Gallery Singapore.

Tatler Asia
(Image: National Archives of Singapore/Facebook)
Above (Image: National Archives of Singapore/Facebook)

4. National Library Board

Re-opening on

July 1, 2020

Opening hours

11 am to 7 pm daily

What’s open

All of its 25 public libraries, as well as the National Library, National Archives of Singapore, and the Former Ford Factory.

Safety measures

According to NLB, all libraries will operate with shorter opening hours, until further notice. Crowd capacity is limited to 50 people per floor at its facilities, and each patron’s visit is limited to 30 min. Visitors are encouraged to book their 30-min visits via an online booking system, as there is limited capacity for walk-ins. They are also advised to check real-time library crowd levels before visiting.

Find out more at National Library Board.

Tatler Asia
(Image: Indian Heritage Centre/Facebook)
Above (Image: Indian Heritage Centre/Facebook)

5. Indian Heritage Centre

Re-opening on

July 3, 2020

Opening hours

10 am to 7 pm from Tuesday to Thursdays, 10 am to 8 pm from Fridays to Saturdays, 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays and public holidays

What’s open

Visitors can learn more about the history of Indians in Singapore at heritage centre’s permanent galleries, which are arranged chronologically from the first century CE to the 21st century. There is also a special ongoing exhibition From the Coromandel Coast to the Straits - Revisiting Our Tamil Heritage dedicated to the Tamil community in Southeast Asia and Singapore, which runs until Sept 30.

Safety measures

In accordance with the phase two guidelines, SafeEntry and temperature taking will be implemented for visitors, who will have to enter from designated entrances. Visitors are also required to wear a mask and maintain safe distancing of at least one metre at all times, with group visits not exceeding five persons.

Find out more at Indian Heritage Centre.

Tatler Asia
(Image: Malay Heritage Centre/Facebook)
Above (Image: Malay Heritage Centre/Facebook)

6. Malay Heritage Centre

Re-opening on

July 3, 2020

Opening hours

10 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday

What’s open

The Malay Heritage Centre features six permanent galleries spread across two levels, showcasing stories and artefacts that support Kampong Gelam’s historical significance before Raffles’ arrival in 1819. Seekor Singa, Seorang Putera dan Sebingkai Cermin: Reflecting and Refracting Singapura presents insights to Singapore’s maritime and cultural significance in the Malay Archipelago, prior to its colonisation. The special exhibition runs until July 26.

Safety measures

In accordance with the phase two guidelines, SafeEntry and temperature taking will be implemented for visitors, who will have to enter from designated entrances. Visitors are also required to wear a mask and maintain safe distancing of at least one metre at all times, with group visits not exceeding five persons.

Find out more at Malay Heritage Centre.

Tatler Asia
(Image: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall)
Above (Image: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall)

7. Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

Re-opening on

July 3, 2020

Opening hours

10 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Sunday

What’s open

A two-storey colonial-style villa commemorating Sun Yat Sen—the founding father of the Republic of China—visitors can explore five permanent galleries featuring nearly 400 artefacts that depict the revolutionary leader’s work and impact on Chinese communities, as well as his daily life in the villa.

Safety measures

In accordance with the phase two guidelines, SafeEntry and temperature taking will be implemented for visitors, who will have to enter from designated entrances. Visitors are also required to wear a mask and maintain safe distancing of at least one metre at all times, with group visits not exceeding five persons.

Find out more at Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall.

Topics