Hotels in Singapore can resume staycations provided they apply to the government for permission first.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced this development in an advisory on July 3, 2020.

Before accepting guests, hotels must submit an application to STB for assessment.

As part of the assessment process, their premises will also be inspected by the statutory board.

Hotels must first comply with safe management measures (SMM) drawn up for them to gain approval to welcome back guests, as Singapore loosens circuit breaker measures.

Recreation areas for children will also be reopened.

The SMM were drawn up by the STB, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Enterprise Singapore and the Ministry of Health. 

Measures for guests

These measures include limiting occupancy to no more than one person per 10 sqm in public spaces accessible to guests at any point of time, excluding hotel staff.

Guests will have face-to-face mingling cut down in the hotel lobby and guest facilities through staggering times.

Hotels also need to be able to disperse crowds and prevent bunching.

Usual practices such as implementing the SafeEntry contact tracing system and putting in place a rigorous cleaning and disinfecting regime, especially for high-touch surfaces, must also be instituted. 

Dine-in services in hotel food and beverage establishments have resumed since June 19, as Singapore entered Phase 2 of the reopening of the economy. 

Submission of application

STB will take up to 14 days to assess each hotel application. 

Hotels that have received approval must alert STB whenever there is a positive case of Covid-19 at the hotel. 

Hotels have to submit a set of required data every week.

Under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, those who fail to comply with these measures will be fined up to S$10,000, jailed up to six months, or both. 

Offenders may also be ineligible for government grants, loans, tax rebates and other assistance.

Top photo via Pan Pacific