Healthy attendance at clubs, few consider virus any deadlier than seasonal flu
By
Jessica Jaganathan
Three major nightclub operators - which between them own 15 clubs - told The Straits Times it was business as usual and sales were unaffected this weekend. -- PHOTO: THE BUTTER FACTORY
PARTY-GOERS were out in full force over the weekend, despite climbing numbers of Influenza A (H1N1) cases here, including one of the biggest clusters at one of the most popular nightclubs.
Three major nightclub operators - which between them own 15 clubs - told The Straits Times it was business as usual and sales were unaffected this weekend.
Nightspots such as Zirca in Clarke Quay and Wala Wala at Holland Village were as packed as ever on Friday and Saturday nights.
Imaginings, the company behind Wala Wala and Balaclava at Suntec City, said sales figures for Friday and Saturday were the same as for a usual weekend.
The chain of 10 bars and clubs started temperature-taking for patrons at all its outlets on Friday.
Those running a fever of above 38 deg C or showing flu-like symptoms would be advised to go home and rest, its spokesman said. Hand sanitisers have also been placed in the toilets for its patrons to use for improved hygiene.
Posters and signs have already gone up at its clubs asking for club-goers who are unwell or been to an affected area to refrain from entering its premises.
So far, all its 10 clubs have not had to turn away anyone. Temperature checks at the entrances also have not put off clubbers as the screening process takes under a minute.
Zouk, which draws in between 5,000 to 6,000 party-goers on a weekend, turned away about five patrons on Friday night after thermometer checks found them to be having a high fever.
Clubbers said they do not fear going into crowded clubs because the H1N1 virus appears similar to the seasonal flu and not lethal, as initially feared.
Please read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.
