Singapore to the UK
With members of my family living in four countries, we communicate more by video and Whatsapp than we meet in person. But a wedding in the UK meant some of us had to travel. We were self-isolating in the UK.
From the UK to Singapore
In Singapore we had to pay and go back into quarantine in a hotel for two weeks. At the airport in Singapore, Changi, we were directed to an area where we had to fill in a form about our direction of travel, answer questions about whether we had any symptoms, then have a temperature check.
We were directed to a bus where the passengers family groups sat separated in different areas of the bus. We all drove across the city to an unknown destination. We arrived at Orchard Hotel in the centre, a block back from Orchard Road.
I was very happy to have a window overlooking the street, Tanglin Road, and the lights. but no fresh air, just air conditioning. However, the sealed windows kept out traffic noise and our room was very quiet, no noise from TVs, plumbing.
Them Checking Us
Officials phoned our hotel bedroom phone to check we were there a couple of times a week and also appeared at the door and asked our names and our numbers from our passports or Singapore identity cards.
We were looking online for thermometers. We ordered a thermometer to be sent to our home to check the temperature of our coolbox to be sure our food remained safe.
We arrived in the evening. A day or two later, a thermometer was delivered for us to take our temperature twice a day.
Covid-19 Nose Test
Four days before departure, we were called down to the fourth floor where all the residents on stay Home Notice were being tested.
We got in the lift and there was a nasty moment when the lift went nowhere. We saw that you needed a keycard to operate the lift, but we had no keycard.
The porter with our luggage on arrival had been given a one time only door entry card for our bedroom.
We thought we were trapped. We looked for an emergency help button. Then the lift went down. The movement was imperceptible. But we saw the numbers of the floors appearing digitally on a small screen and the door opened. We wondered if the people monitoring our arrival had delayed us to stagger the arrival times.
Exit From Quarantine
The hotel staggered our check-out times.
It was strange to drive through the city. Where we would once have been shocked by the restriction of everybody walking around wearing masks, now we were revelling in our freedom. We could ride a taxi through the street, not just look down on the street from a window.
We could breathe fresh air. The air wasn't that fresh. Polluted city air. Not like a sea breeze. But at least is was air, not recycled hotel air con air.
We can go for a walk outdoors. We can go for a swim. We can wave at our neighbours, not just retreat from strangers.
It reminds me of the goat story, one of my family's favourites. More tomorrow.
Useful Websites
Singapore Ministry of Health
Helpline 6812 5555.
World Health Organization
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
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