For those who have been looking forward to a nice staycation in Phase 2, you might be disappointed.

A circular issued by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), supposedly seen by Milelion, states that hotels are reminded not to accept reservations from local residents, with certain exceptions.

Hotels may only accept local reservations under specific circumstances

According to the circular, hotels can only accept reservations from local residents if they belong to specific permitted categories.

These include:

• • Individuals whose current place of residence is not available due to home renovation.
  • Individuals who have sold their current place of residence but can't stay elsewhere.
  • Individuals whose existing rental lease has ended, but can't stay elsewhere.
  • Returnees who completed their stay-home notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities but do not have a place of their own as they do not ordinarily live in Singapore.
  • Healthcare workers who wish to isolate themselves from other family members living in the same residential unit.
  • Green/ Fast-lane Travellers.

Hotels may also accept Long-Term Pass holders entering Singapore from June 17, 2020, 11.59pm, and who had remained in:

• Australia
• Brunei Darussalam
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Macao
• Mainland China
• New Zealand
• Republic of Korea
• Taiwan
• Vietnam

in the last consecutive 14 days prior to their entry, and wish to serve their 14-day SHN in a hotel.

The circular stated that hotels are required to exercise due diligence to ensure that guests seeking accommodation fulfil the criteria listed.

So staycations will not be allowed, at least for the time being.

Certain hotel facilities may reopen

While hotels may not be allowed to accept reservations from local residents in most cases, the other facilities commonly found in hotels may resume, subject to regulations.

Dine-in services in hotel F&B establishments may resume in Phase 2, subject to liquor sales and consumption ceasing at 10.30pm daily.

Live music, radio broadcasts and all forms of television and video screenings, as well as other forms of public entertainment such as dancing, darts or karaoke are not allowed.

Hotels may also resume operations for event venues, with a capacity of no more than five persons, excluding hotel staff per event.

Marriage solemnisation in hotel venues are limited to 20 persons, including vendors, and excluding the solemniser and hotel staff.

Spas, pools and gyms may also resume operations, subject to regulations. For shared facilities, hotels were reminded to stagger timings of use, and to conduct thorough cleaning and disinfection.

Refrain from marketing

STB also appears to be aware of the various staycation deals that have been promoted recently, and have advised hotels not to embark on any marketing efforts to promote staycation packages until further advised by STB, in order to avoid creating public confusion.

According to the circular, STB will advise when hotels may resume staycations once the details are ready.

Top image from MBS.