SINGAPORE - On its second run today, Car-Free Sunday opened with extended hours and routes.

Instead of from 7am to 9am, some roads in the Central Business District was closed from 7.30am to 10am, while roads in the Civic District loop will be closed from 7.30am to noon.

Specific roads affected are Robinson Road, Shenton Way and Fullerton Road, as well as St Andrew Road, Stamford Road and Esplanade Drive. Connaught Drive will be closed till 7pm for activities.

The route was also extended to include Esplanade Drive, forming a 5km stretch for walkers, runners, cyclists and others on personal mobility devices.

Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, who started a run at 7.30am with 150 elderly residents from his Kolam Ayer division, said he was keen to make Car-Free Sunday a monthly event for his residents.

The MP for Jalan Besar GRC suggesting encouraging more community groups and elderly to participate, as well as having the elderly join in the activities at the event.

New activities during this edition includes yoga, as well as an arts and gardening bazaar.

Separately, Dr Yaacob said that the upcoming Committee of Supply debate for his ministry will have a focus on the shortage of IT talent, amid Singapore's Smart Nation drive which will generate demand for new IT skills and services.