This year’s National Day celebration was different than any other in the history of Singapore. But despite being a more sombre affair due to social distancing measures in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it wasn’t lacking in spirit.
Starting at 10am, key assets from the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team began to make their way from Jurong West, covering Jurong East and Bukit Batok before ending the parade in Choa Chu Kang. A team of six Red Lions also parachuted to the grassland near Ng Teng Fong General Hospital to pay tribute to frontline and essential workers. This was one of the highlights of the National Day Parade (NDP), in recognition of the relentless battle against the Covid-19 pandemic that the healthcare workers and other frontliners are engaged in. At night, dandelion-like fireworks shot through the skies at Jurong Lake Gardens after the NDP evening show ended its live broadcast at The Star Performing Arts Centre.
Nationwide, the celebrations moved to the heartlands, and neighbourhoods came alive with people cheering on the Armed Forces, Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force parading through the neighbourhoods.