In Singapore, advice sought
Mar 23, 2020, 10:57 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
My friend had an appendectomy last year, and even for such a (relatively) routine surgery the bill was 36k (Mt E Novena)
Mar 23, 2020, 11:18 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
In the same boat in Singapore now. Afraid Sg will ask tourists to leave before shutting the airport, but I believe it is an extremely unlikely scenario. Hopefully the new cases in S'pore will taper off and government will ease off restrictions soon. We should all meet up.
Mar 23, 2020, 11:55 pm
#33
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,393
If it comes to a point where Singapore has to decline critical care, it's hard to think of anywhere better to be (Japan/SK are the only options). UK & USA will definitely not be able to offer better care at that point, citizen or not.
At the end of 90 days, Singapore can't ask you to leave unless there is a viable way to get back to your home country, so there is little benefit in leaving now.
The only real concern is that they'll ask all tourists to leave while they still have 4% of the flights going, but I believe it to be highly unlikely. The only countries that did that are in the Caribbean. Singapore healthcare is not on trajectory to be overwhelmed. They have little to gain but expelling tourists.
There is close to zero community spread in Singapore and restaurants all open, albeit mostly not crowded (no tourists).
The only thing closed in Singapore is the Apple Store
At the end of 90 days, Singapore can't ask you to leave unless there is a viable way to get back to your home country, so there is little benefit in leaving now.
The only real concern is that they'll ask all tourists to leave while they still have 4% of the flights going, but I believe it to be highly unlikely. The only countries that did that are in the Caribbean. Singapore healthcare is not on trajectory to be overwhelmed. They have little to gain but expelling tourists.
There is close to zero community spread in Singapore and restaurants all open, albeit mostly not crowded (no tourists).
The only thing closed in Singapore is the Apple Store
Mar 24, 2020, 12:14 am
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Shangri-La Jade, Accor Pleb
Posts: 57
If it comes to a point where Singapore has to decline critical care, it's hard to think of anywhere better to be (Japan/SK are the only options). UK & USA will definitely not be able to offer better care at that point, citizen or not.
At the end of 90 days, Singapore can't ask you to leave unless there is a viable way to get back to your home country, so there is little benefit in leaving now.
The only real concern is that they'll ask all tourists to leave while they still have 4% of the flights going, but I believe it to be highly unlikely. The only countries that did that are in the Caribbean. Singapore healthcare is not on trajectory to be overwhelmed. They have little to gain but expelling tourists.
At the end of 90 days, Singapore can't ask you to leave unless there is a viable way to get back to your home country, so there is little benefit in leaving now.
The only real concern is that they'll ask all tourists to leave while they still have 4% of the flights going, but I believe it to be highly unlikely. The only countries that did that are in the Caribbean. Singapore healthcare is not on trajectory to be overwhelmed. They have little to gain but expelling tourists.
Mar 24, 2020, 12:50 am
#35
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 224
It's best you proactively reach out to ICA to pre-empt this situation, and ask what your options are. I wouldn't wait til it's close to the deadline before reaching out, as they are likely to already be swamped.
As for medical care, it is possible for a private hospital bill run into nearly 100k within a couple of weeks. My mother was hospitalized at Mount E Orchard for 5 months (requiring ICU except for the last 2-3 weeks) and her bill came up to about 500k. Not sure if there will be additional charges for isolation etc if it's cos of COVID. I hope you have some form of hospitalization insurance, if not, I'm not sure if it's possible for you to cover yourself with one now.
As for medical care, it is possible for a private hospital bill run into nearly 100k within a couple of weeks. My mother was hospitalized at Mount E Orchard for 5 months (requiring ICU except for the last 2-3 weeks) and her bill came up to about 500k. Not sure if there will be additional charges for isolation etc if it's cos of COVID. I hope you have some form of hospitalization insurance, if not, I'm not sure if it's possible for you to cover yourself with one now.
Mar 24, 2020, 1:00 am
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Shangri-La Jade, Accor Pleb
Posts: 57
It's best you proactively reach out to ICA to pre-empt this situation, and ask what your options are. I wouldn't wait til it's close to the deadline before reaching out, as they are likely to already be swamped.
As for medical care, it is possible for a private hospital bill run into nearly 100k within a couple of weeks. My mother was hospitalized at Mount E Orchard for 5 months (requiring ICU except for the last 2-3 weeks) and her bill came up to about 500k. Not sure if there will be additional charges for isolation etc if it's cos of COVID. I hope you have some form of hospitalization insurance, if not, I'm not sure if it's possible for you to cover yourself with one now.
As for medical care, it is possible for a private hospital bill run into nearly 100k within a couple of weeks. My mother was hospitalized at Mount E Orchard for 5 months (requiring ICU except for the last 2-3 weeks) and her bill came up to about 500k. Not sure if there will be additional charges for isolation etc if it's cos of COVID. I hope you have some form of hospitalization insurance, if not, I'm not sure if it's possible for you to cover yourself with one now.
I’m insured.
Mar 24, 2020, 2:53 am
#37
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 2
If you were advised you to not to go to a country, and you went anyway, and then needed help, I don't think your native country would bend over backwards to help you. Similarly, UK has called its citizens home. If you choose ignore this, then is UK still responsible to advocate for you? I would think you now are assuming personal responsibility for your own health. (And if UK no longer is responsible for your health, then why should Singapore be?) It would be very reasonable for a country to say: "Sorry, we have to take care of our citizens first."
Let's have a hypothetical-- If NHS had only one bed, and 2 patients showed up: 1) a UK citizen who had paid into the system all their life with concerned family members in tow, or 2) a tourist, who do you think NHS would give priority to? Who do you think the staff would check in? And if you still think the tourist would be given priority, then add in Asian culture that respects family and elders. Remember, a Singaporean will have many family members invested in that patient -- and all of these are voters.
Sorry to seem harsh, but you seem to want reassurance that Singapore will take care of you and aren't listening to what the Singapore residents are telling you. If you read the news articles cited in this thread, or listen to the speeches by the ministers, it is clear that the concern is for the Singaporeans.
My advice stays the same -- if you want to stay in Singapore, just stay healthy and don't get infected.
Mar 24, 2020, 3:32 am
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Shangri-La Jade, Accor Pleb
Posts: 57
I would agree with you if these are normal times; but these are not normal times. Singapore is calling all its citizens back into this country, and helping them get here. If UK has called you home, and you failed to take personal responsibility to return home; I don't see sympathy by either country (Singapore or UK).
If you were advised you to not to go to a country, and you went anyway, and then needed help, I don't think your native country would bend over backwards to help you. Similarly, UK has called its citizens home. If you choose ignore this, then is UK still responsible to advocate for you? I would think you now are assuming personal responsibility for your own health. (And if UK no longer is responsible for your health, then why should Singapore be?) It would be very reasonable for a country to say: "Sorry, we have to take care of our citizens first."
Let's have a hypothetical-- If NHS had only one bed, and 2 patients showed up: 1) a UK citizen who had paid into the system all their life with concerned family members in tow, or 2) a tourist, who do you think NHS would give priority to? Who do you think the staff would check in? And if you still think the tourist would be given priority, then add in Asian culture that respects family and elders. Remember, a Singaporean will have many family members invested in that patient -- and all of these are voters.
Sorry to seem harsh, but you seem to want reassurance that Singapore will take care of you and aren't listening to what the Singapore residents are telling you. If you read the news articles cited in this thread, or listen to the speeches by the ministers, it is clear that the concern is for the Singaporeans.
My advice stays the same -- if you want to stay in Singapore, just stay healthy and don't get infected.
If you were advised you to not to go to a country, and you went anyway, and then needed help, I don't think your native country would bend over backwards to help you. Similarly, UK has called its citizens home. If you choose ignore this, then is UK still responsible to advocate for you? I would think you now are assuming personal responsibility for your own health. (And if UK no longer is responsible for your health, then why should Singapore be?) It would be very reasonable for a country to say: "Sorry, we have to take care of our citizens first."
Let's have a hypothetical-- If NHS had only one bed, and 2 patients showed up: 1) a UK citizen who had paid into the system all their life with concerned family members in tow, or 2) a tourist, who do you think NHS would give priority to? Who do you think the staff would check in? And if you still think the tourist would be given priority, then add in Asian culture that respects family and elders. Remember, a Singaporean will have many family members invested in that patient -- and all of these are voters.
Sorry to seem harsh, but you seem to want reassurance that Singapore will take care of you and aren't listening to what the Singapore residents are telling you. If you read the news articles cited in this thread, or listen to the speeches by the ministers, it is clear that the concern is for the Singaporeans.
My advice stays the same -- if you want to stay in Singapore, just stay healthy and don't get infected.
For what it's worth, in all the coverage I've seen of the NHS, where there have been more deaths, I (refreshingly) haven't seen much evidence so far of 'those bleedin' foreigners'.
Mar 24, 2020, 5:53 am
#39
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,573
Personally I'd ride out the 90 days here- there are plenty of "staycation" deals to be had. Just taking great care to socially distance etc
In terms of leaving, currently it does look like SQ are tentatively planning to resume 1 x daily LHR in mid April. BA currently have their daily 777 on the schedule but are facing issues with Sydney transit passengers being barred, so that's fluid. But 90 days is a lot time in the current world - by then a visa run within Asia may be possible if you want to stay longer. But at least the UK situation will hopefully have peaked by then.
I really cannot imagine a Spain style situation where tourists will be evicted unless the situation here rapidly deteriorates - but then it would need flights to be running to deport you on...
In terms of leaving, currently it does look like SQ are tentatively planning to resume 1 x daily LHR in mid April. BA currently have their daily 777 on the schedule but are facing issues with Sydney transit passengers being barred, so that's fluid. But 90 days is a lot time in the current world - by then a visa run within Asia may be possible if you want to stay longer. But at least the UK situation will hopefully have peaked by then.
I really cannot imagine a Spain style situation where tourists will be evicted unless the situation here rapidly deteriorates - but then it would need flights to be running to deport you on...
Mar 24, 2020, 6:07 am
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Shangri-La Jade, Accor Pleb
Posts: 57
Does anyone know the best way to do this? I rang the number today several times but the message was ‘please call back later’.
Mar 24, 2020, 8:04 am
#41
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,276
If really need to talk to ICA, can go down personally (lavender mrt) or maybe can write email. I think it is [email protected].
Mar 24, 2020, 11:14 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: BRU, SIN, PEK
Programs: SQ TPP, LH SEN
Posts: 3,235
Additional measures have been announced today, worth reading through all the details so you can decide how this might influence your decision to stay/leave.
News: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...rings-12571538
Official govt circular: https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highligh...ad-of-covid-19
News: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...rings-12571538
Official govt circular: https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highligh...ad-of-covid-19
Mar 24, 2020, 4:39 pm
#43
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Krisflyer
Posts: 18
If it comes to a point where Singapore has to decline critical care, it's hard to think of anywhere better to be (Japan/SK are the only options). UK & USA will definitely not be able to offer better care at that point, citizen or not.
At the end of 90 days, Singapore can't ask you to leave unless there is a viable way to get back to your home country, so there is little benefit in leaving now.
The only real concern is that they'll ask all tourists to leave while they still have 4% of the flights going, but I believe it to be highly unlikely. The only countries that did that are in the Caribbean. Singapore healthcare is not on trajectory to be overwhelmed. They have little to gain but expelling tourists.
There is close to zero community spread in Singapore and restaurants all open, albeit mostly not crowded (no tourists).
The only thing closed in Singapore is the Apple Store
At the end of 90 days, Singapore can't ask you to leave unless there is a viable way to get back to your home country, so there is little benefit in leaving now.
The only real concern is that they'll ask all tourists to leave while they still have 4% of the flights going, but I believe it to be highly unlikely. The only countries that did that are in the Caribbean. Singapore healthcare is not on trajectory to be overwhelmed. They have little to gain but expelling tourists.
There is close to zero community spread in Singapore and restaurants all open, albeit mostly not crowded (no tourists).
The only thing closed in Singapore is the Apple Store
From Thurs 11.59 PM all bars, cinemas and places of entertainment will be closed. We have several clusters, including churches. I was contact traced after a few members of my church was diagnosed. I would not say there is no community spread.
Mar 24, 2020, 7:26 pm
#44
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
We've had community spread for months but vast majority of them were traceable ... until recently. Since the 2nd wave of returning residents brought the virus back with them from Europe and the USA, we've been getting a rising number of untraceable cases, these are the worrying ones (and probably the trigger for the govt's latest almost-lockdown-but-not-quite measures). If the untraceable case numbers continue rising I think sooner or later we might be forced into actual lockdown too.
Mar 24, 2020, 7:40 pm
#45
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: BRU, SIN, PEK
Programs: SQ TPP, LH SEN
Posts: 3,235
We've had community spread for months but vast majority of them were traceable ... until recently. Since the 2nd wave of returning residents brought the virus back with them from Europe and the USA, we've been getting a rising number of untraceable cases, these are the worrying ones (and probably the trigger for the govt's latest almost-lockdown-but-not-quite measures). If the untraceable case numbers continue rising I think sooner or later we might be forced into actual lockdown too.
It's going to be a bit touch and go over the next two weeks and it'll heavily depend on people taking this seriously and also SHN family members to take extra precaution and not just go about as normal just because they aren't technically subject to SHN.
(SHN - stay home notice, where you are prohibited from leaving your residence for 14 days)