Staycations Will Not Be Allowed in Singapore Hotels During the Circuit Breaker (07 April 2020 to 01 June 2020)
In compliance with the new circuit breaker measures that will go live on 07 April 2020, all non-essential businesses in Singapore will temporarily close to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Selected hotels have been identified as part of Singapore's essential services and will therefore be permitted to operate during this period. While the policy wording was slightly ambiguous for a start, it is now clear that local residents will not be able to enjoy staycations in hotels during the circuit breaker period from 07 April 2020 to 01 June 2020.
Photo Credit: JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach
According to the published list of essential services, only 'selected hotels, serviced apartments, dormitories and hostels' can operate during the aforementioned period and 'this includes establishments supporting SHN; GQF; CIF and accommodation needs of students, foreigners, and foreign workers affected by travel restrictions, as well as for existing occupants only.' This means to say that hotels will not able to check-in guests who do not satisfy the above condition (no, staycation does not fall into that).
Additionally, all on-site recreational facilities will be closed and dining facilities will be limited to takeaway only with effect from Tuesday 07 April 2020 until Monday 01 June 2020. This means to say that even if you were able to stay (which you can't), you will not be able to enjoy the lounge offerings in the hotel or even a buffet breakfast at the restaurant during your stay. In fact, I was just at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach over the weekend and was informed that in-house guests (who check-in before 07 April 2020) will only be served breakfast in their room during this period.
Photo Credit: Singapore Government
It is definitely a bleak moment for the industry and for us loyalty program elite-status chasers right now, it might just be a good idea to stay home and ride this out. While most global hotel loyalty programs have already announced status extensions, in one way or another for global members, it seems like Marriott Bonvoy is not budging for now but I would love to see whether this remains to be true in weeks to come.
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