(TAN): Singapore will begin to gradually reopen its tourism sector from today, the country’s tourism board said.
While 13 attractions will be permitted to restart services in the initial stage, domestic tour operators will also be able to submit their applications to Singapore Tourism Board (STB) seeking permission to resume operations.
In the first phase, Bounce, Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, Jurong Bird Park, Madame Tussauds, River Safari, Singapore Zoo, Zero Latency, Art Science Museum, Sands Sky Park and Observation Deck and Casino at Marina Bay Sands, Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium and Casino at Resorts World Sentosa will reopen for visitors.
[ALSO READ: How safe is it to stay in a hotel during COVID-19?]
Most attractions will be restricted to no more than a quarter of their operating capacity at one time in the beginning, STB said. Also, only existing casino members and annual levy holders will be granted access to the casinos.
STB’s Chief Executive Keith Tan said the board’s chief concern is to ensure safe tourism experiences as the industry opens up in phases.
“The tourism sector has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, but our industry partners have responded with professionalism and resilience. With tourism reopening in a safe and gradual manner, STB’s key priority will be to ensure that tourism businesses can provide a safe and enjoyable experience for their guests and visitors,” he said.
“While it will be some time before Singapore can fully welcome international visitors, we hope Singaporeans and residents of Singapore will enjoy what our tourism businesses have to offer, in a socially responsible way,” Tan added.
Operators and attractions submitting their reopening proposals to the STB must establish “effective implementation of safety measures” to offer a “safe environment” for visitors and employees, STB said. The applications must declare what safe management measures the operator will take to control the “COVID-19 transmission risks” of each attraction or tour. They will be allowed to restart operations only after Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry gives them approval to do so.
“During the three-month closure, our attractions have been working hard on the SG Clean certification and putting in place enhanced measures to ensure that the attractions are safe for our guests as well as for staff,” Association of Singapore Attractions Chairperson Tresnawati Prihadi said.
“We are pleased that tours can now resume, following several challenging months. This is encouraging news, and our members look forward to sharing their stories and knowledge of Singapore with locals and visitors again. STGS will continue to work together with STB and our members to ensure tour operators and tourist guides carry out tours safely,” Society of Tourist Guides (Singapore) Chairperson Jean Wang said.
Related posts:
Singapore Changi Airport to shut down Terminal 2 for 18 months
Singapore launches new audit system to certify hotels and tourist attractions for cleanliness
Singapore to establish “travel bubbles” for essential travel with countries where COVID-19 is under control
Dubai to open for foreign visitors from July 7, Emirates releases video welcoming tourists back
