If you’ve served a stay-home notice (SHN) after arriving in Singapore from overseas, you’d know that the hotels chosen as dedicated facilities aren’t too shabby.
After all, you are paying $2,000 for your stay.
But what if you were okay with staying in a less fancy place if it cost less?
Well, soon, you might be able to choose your own SHN facility.
S’pore Could Soon Allow Travellers to Choose Their SHN Facility
The topic came up in parliament yesterday (25 Feb) when West Coast MP Foo Mee Har enquired about the possibility of a tiered pricing plan for SDFs (Stay-Home Notice Dedicated Facilities).
“We understand that travellers would like to have more choice and flexibility for their SDFs”, Minister of State for the Prime Minister’s Office and National Development Tan Kiat How responded.
“We are constantly reviewing our systems and studying ways to provide travellers more options to meet their preferences and budgets, without compromising the safety of travellers, operational staff, and the community”.
Mr Tan said the government is considering the possibility of letting inbound travellers choose their SHN facility.
At the moment, travellers cannot choose where they will serve their SHN, and will only be assigned to their facility when they arrive in Singapore.
This, according to CNA, is to “minimise operational complexity”.
However, if travellers have specific needs, such as requiring elderly or disability-friendly amenities, the authorities will assess each case based on the travellers’ financial or personal circumstances.
Costs For Travellers
Since 1 Jan this year, all incoming travellers have had to pay for their SHNs at hotels.
A standard fee of S$2,000 is charged, regardless of the choice of accommodation.
Besides, travellers have to fork out $200 for a Covid-19 test. And given that travellers now have to take one when they arrive and another during their SHN, that’s an extra $400 on top of the $2,000 they have to pay for their accommodation.
Short-term visitors will also need travel insurance to cover the costs of their medical treatment in Singapore.
Cheaper Options For Employers
It’s for this reason that Ms Foo hopes the government will consider offering a “more economical option”, especially for families bringing in foreign domestic workers.
She said she has received feedback from many families complaining about the cost of bringing in helpers from abroad.
Mr Tan replied that cheaper options for employers already exist and that appeals for these cheaper options will be evaluated on a “case-by-case basis”.
Feature Image: sirastock / Shutterstock.com
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