[2 May 2020 update: From 5 May, exercise within the common areas of strata-titled residential buildings, such as private condominiums, will again be allowed. Residents living there can use areas such as footpaths, but must continue to practise safe distancing measures. The same rules that apply in public areas will also apply within the common areas of these developments.]
[29 April 2020 update: In a Facebook post, BCA has clarified that “pet owners may walk out of the compound with their pets so there’s no need to carry them”.]
Have you trained your dogs to walk themselves? Well, now’s the time to, because the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) just released a statement (28 April) declaring that dog walking and exercising is not permitted within the common areas of condominiums “as part of measures to help curb the spread of Covid-19”.
BCA’s rationale is that given the limited space within a gated condominium compound, crowds could form and safe distancing measures compromised if exercising and dog walking continue to be allowed.
Condos in general have walking paths and common open spaces such as lawns and playgrounds, but these are typically narrower and smaller in area compared to parks and pavements. (Earlier, we reported that all condo facilities have been shut for the duration of the circuit breaker period.)
Rules only limited to condominiums
The BCA was quick to clarify, however, that the “no dog walking” restriction only applies within the condo compound.
“Residents may exercise or walk their dogs in public areas that are freely accessible, but not in condominiums’ common areas,” the BCA told Channel NewsAsia.
“These public areas could be any public path, a green or an open space that is managed or maintained for the Government or a public body, and is accessible to the general public without payment of any fee,” said the authority. (Well, the BCA has no jurisdiction outside of strata-titled developments anyway.)
How do I get out of the condo with my doggo, then?
Technically, you have to walk your dog inside your condo in order to walk your dog outside your condo, no?
Well, if you do not want opportunistic BCA officers to catch you doing the wrong thing while you’re about to do the right thing, we advise you to carry your dog (if it’s not too heavy), transport your dog out in your car, or put the pupper in a stroller or carrier and liberate him/her only when both your feet is outside your condominium.
It’s great that BCA has clarified on 29 April that condo owners are allowed to walk their dogs out of their condos. Remember to wear your mask at all times, of course.
This clarification hasn’t stopped some netizens from questioning the ruling, arguing that their condo’s common space is less crowded than the immediate vicinity outside the condo.
Alas, there’s no one size fits all solution!
Do you think the ban on dog walking inside condos is reasonable? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
If you liked this article, we feel you’ll also like Singaporeans are FURIOUS over Covid-19 clampdown on home-based businesses and Property agents react to the circuit breaker extension
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About Kyle Leung
Content Marketing Manager @ 99.co
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This is crazy. Makes no sense…condo area is a private controlled area. Much safer than everyone going to a public location
Most illogical rule there is. Stop with the madness
Agree that most condo’s footpath are narrow, similar to the public footpath width. This would create social distancing problem within the estate. However pushing everything out will concentrate more people
What about walking & exercise on a full width vehicle road of 7meter within the estate
At least 7 times wider than the footpath.
This would be way better than the public footpath
I’m supportive of the government’s efforts to reduce crowding, but this is getting absurd. Maybe most people are walking their dogs in circles in the condo complex, but I’m not seeing it. For me, by the time I would get to the street, where there’s no grass area, by the way, my dog has gone and is ready to return to the house.
Where are all the crowds I’m avoiding? And by the way, with only ~10 cases in Singapore general population each day of the 5,000,000, it’s unlikely that I’ll give COVID to another dog walker in my complex though my mask.
After 3 weeks into CB, BCA then issued notice for residents cannot exercise or dog walking inside condo compound but are allow to do all these activities outside the condo where public compound and path area. Just wondering does BCA and all other government dept communicate , by pushing these group to public compound, they are building the human traffic heavier instead. If that the case, the government or the multi task force should stop people from exercising, brisk walking or dog walking totally and have Movement control Order just like our neighbor.