Good news! We can go on staycations soon!
Friday 3 July 2020 - The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has finally announced that hotels may now apply to reopen for staycation bookings and reopen recreation activities for children.
This announcement was made while Singapore is in Phase Two ("Safe Transition") of its economy reopening. Previously during the Circuit Breaker and when Phase 2 started on 19 June, staycations were not allowed yet.
Before accepting staycation bookings, hotels must first apply to the government to obtain approval. In order to obtain approval, hotels must comply with safe management measures set by STB, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Health and Enterprise Singapore.
The safe management measures include:
limiting occupancy to no more than 1 person per 10 sqm in public spaces accessible to guests, excluding hotel staff, at any point in time
staggering check-in and check-out timings
be able to disperse crowds and prevent "bunching"
rigorous cleaning and disinfecting regimes, especially for high-touch surfaces
no more than five guests allowed in each room
implementing the SafeEntry system
screening every individual before allowing them into the building
ensuring everyone wears a mask within the hotel unless they are in their own rooms or eating or engaging in strenuous exercise
keeping the records of guests for at least 28 days after they check out
Hotels must submit to an inspection by STB as part of the assessment process. Each application may take up to 14 days to be assessed.
Hotels that have received approval must then submit a set of required data every week and alert STB whenever there is a positive case of Covid-19 on their premises.
Over here at SG-Staycation.com, we appreciate the Singapore government, authorities and hotels for the great efforts in ensuring high standards of safety and cleanliness. It would take awhile for the hotels to obtain approval and there will be safe management measures for everyone to adhere to, but we believe these steps are necessary so that we can be socially responsible and enjoy staycations safely. Check out latest approved hotels here.
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