Singapore has started taking applications for a program that will allow people to enter the island for business and official purposes without having to quarantine for 14 days. The catch? They’ll have to stay in a bubble-like facility near Changi Airport, and can’t leave.

(TRAVPR.COM) SINGAPORE - February 24th, 2021 - The first visitors under the so-called Connect@Changi program are expected to arrive next month, Alan Thompson, joint head of strategic development at Temasek International, said Thursday. Temasek Holdings Pte, Singapore’s state investment firm, is supporting the initiative.

 “The economy was hurting, the aviation industry was hurting, the food and beverage and hospitality industry was hurting -- we needed something to kickstart the economy,” Thompson said. The purpose-built facility will enable corporate travel in Singapore and  “allow business meetings to happen that will then enable travel to happen and gradually we will be able to get business as close to normal” under these kinds of circumstances.

The facility will initially have 150 guestrooms and 40 meeting rooms, rising to 660 and 170, respectively, when the first phase is completed in May. When fully operational, it will have the capacity to host around 1,300 business travellers.

Visitors will undergo testing upon arrival and throughout their stays and must observe all safety measures. They will be able to conduct meetings with local guests and other segregated travel lane groups at the facility. Meetings with locals will need to conducted behind floor-to-ceiling dividers.

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