The queue for members of the public to pay respects to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, lying in state at Parliament House, closed at 8pm on Saturday (Mar 28), after four days of public mourning.

Officials were heard making an announcement at 8pm, that the Padang queue is now closed. Barricades were seen being put up as well. In the 15 minutes before 8pm, people were seen rushing to join the queue, and volunteers were telling people not to run.

Earlier on Saturday evening, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean told reporters at the Padang: "This is as planned, as scheduled. This means that it will give us several hours that we need in order to clear the persons who are already in the queue, to give those who are already in the queue at 8pm the opportunity to pay their respects personally to Mr Lee at Parliament House. And these several hours will leave enough time for the organisers to prepare both the Padang as well as the Parliament House for the proceedings tomorrow, which is the State Funeral procession."

Channel NewsAsia understands that police and volunteers at City Hall MRT station and in front of Swissotel Hotel, will be giving out flyers that read: "We are sorry that you are unable to pay your last respects to the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew at Parliament House. Please visit any of People's Association's 18 community sites to leave a condolence message." The community tribute sites are open 24 hours.
(Channel NewsAsia)