Istana main building to be open to public on May 7

The Istana's main building will be open to the public on May 7 for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The open house will be held to mark both Labour Day and Hari Raya Puasa, which fall on May 1 and May 3 respectively.

All visitors to the Istana will need to apply for tickets in advance, capped at five each, the President's Office said in a statement yesterday.

Applicants will have to choose a two-hour time slot starting at 9am, 11am, 1pm or 3pm. If tickets are oversubscribed, they will be allocated via an electronic balloting system.

Applications are open from 10am next Monday to 10am on Tuesday at https://tinyurl.com/hrioh22

Admission to the Istana grounds is free. Visitors can purchase admission passes for the main building during their time slot, costing $2 for Singaporeans and permanent residents aged four and above. Entry is free for children below four. "Visitors can visit selected function rooms and have the opportunity to view a collection of state gifts as well as the room set-ups for state events," the statement said.

There will be no performances, tours or food trucks at the open house, but there will be merchandise booths selling limited-edition Istana souvenirs and President's Challenge souvenirs. All fees and proceeds collected will go towards charities supported by the President's Challenge. Visitors will be required to keep their masks on at all times when indoors.

The previous open house in February, held in celebration of the Chinese New Year, drew around 3,000 visitors. About 2,000 people visited the Istana grounds on Nov 4 last year for the Deepavali open house.