This year I have had family in Singapore, family in Malaysia, family in London, a family wedding in London, family all over the world, day surgery in the UK at a hospital, and family in hotel quarantine in Singapore. Here are some of the Covid-19 quarantine experiences. I shall start with the UK experiences, and then Singapore.
The Covid-19 Test In The UK
Before going into hospital for day surgery, my family member had to take a Covid-19 test. This was from a tent in the hoptal car park. You drove your own car up to the tent. You filled in a form. A long pole reaches out and takes the swab.
Heathrow
A delay on check in because in addition to the ticket, the passengers had to show various documents, such as their status as a Singaporean or permanent resident. You needed wifi and a working mobile phone or a Singapore identity card, not your British passport which is usually enough for travel
When the airline staff tried to phone offices in Singapore, with a time difference it was the middle of the night in Singapore and nobody was answering.
Going through security, everybody was separated by social distancing. Much more civilised. No jostling.
At Heathrow the Singapore Airlines lounge was closed, like all the other lounges except one. The buffet area had marks on the floor. The O'Brien (Yes, Irish) chocolate pot was great. I kept the small see-through plastic box. This proved handy later for food in a hotel room.
Masks in Singapore
Singapore had only 28 fatalities by November 2020. Everybody wears masks except children The government issues 4 mask per household every couple of months.
Quarantine Costs In Singapore
The cost of quarantine on returning was reputed to be about 2,000 Singapore dollars per person, covering two weeks in a hotel bedroom, with airline style meals delivered three times a day, but it might be slightly less money for a couple sharing. This sounded less than the quarantine costs in Australasia.
A small coach took just three families to our hotel.
We had a tour of the city, not knowing where we were going.
We arrived at the Orchard Hotel.
Orchard Hotel, Singapore
We passed the main checkin and went to another check set up outside a back entrance which I presume was a ballroom. During checkin we were asked if we wanted a double bed or two singles. Up in the lift to our hotel bedroom.
Orchard Hotel Bedroom, Singapore
Seventh floor. Window overlooking the street and Christmas lights. (Secural lights.) I was delighted.
I thought the hotel was in Orchard Road. Photos from the window showed the Xmas sstreet lights. the hotel is actually a block back, facing the Rendez-vous hotel which is on the corner.
On check-in my family was told the evening meal was being prepared. With one person having a shellfish allergy, and a meal with main course in oyster sauce being delivered, the meal had to be sent back. They should have checked allergies on check-in.
The quarantined residents get no door key. No need. You are not allowed to leave until check-out two weks later. What would happen in a fire or fire alarm?
Checking Phone Call
One government phone caller checking we were quarantined asked us our identity and asked us to turn on the video to show we were in the room.
Personal Identity Check
Every couple of days, two reps, one male and one female, from the local commnity assocation, knock on the door to check you are there and confirm your name and identity card number.
It is actually good to see a human face at the door. They wear masks. You wear masks.
Food Delivery
You don't see the person who drops off your food. They knock and run away, both in a hurry and to avoid catching Covid-19.
The hotel gave residents (inmates!), a menu for week one and two. The menus did not match what we received. In week two we realised the reason. Week one was not the first week you arrived, but the first week of their two week cycle. We arrived in what they called week two. The second week we were on menu one.
The airline style meals seemed geared for the local Chinese diet. We had noodles once a day and rice twice or three times a day. Ni sign of other types of pasta or any potato, except a couple of rounds of has borwnies with one of the breakfasts.
When I asked for no shellfish, no crustaceans, no olluscs, I got a slightly different meal.
We changed to Indian breakfasts which were much better for us. We received different Indian breads every day.
Ordering In
Then we started odering fresh vegetables, fruit and yogurt from outside. We used Food Panda. You have many other options for delivery.
You can have anything delivered. It arrives somewhere downstairs and the hotel staff bring it up. Usual system. Knock at the door and they scarper. What you cannot do is send anything out, except the daily rubbish, once a day collection, sealed in a large plastic bag.
You can order electronics for your computer, wine, food, anything you like.
What did I love about the hotel?
1 The big fluffy bath towels.
2 The light weight duvets.
3 The street view.
Useful Websites
Singapore Covid-19 news and updates
https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19
About the Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker, fashionista. Please share links to your favourite posts or one or more of the blogs
travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com
dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com
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