Universal Studios and 12 other Singapore tourist attractions to reopen from July 1

With leisure travel looking increasingly unlikely for Singaporeans in 2020, we’re going to have to get used to the idea of domestic travel. You know, getaways to Sentosa, farmstays in Lim Chu Kang, ironic visits to Yishun, that sort of thing.

Fortunately, some of our local attractions will be up and running next month. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced a list of 13 local attractions that will be given the green light to open from 1 July, bringing to end a three-month shutdown.

Which Singapore attractions will reopen?

From 1 July, the following attractions will be permitted to reopen, subject to a 25% capacity cap at any one time: 

•  Bounce
•  Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay
•  Jurong Bird Park
•  Madame Tussauds
•  River Safari
•  Singapore Zoo
•  Zero Latency
•  ArtScience Museum, Sands SkyPark and Observation Deck and Casino at Marina Bay Sands
•  Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium and Casino at Resorts World Sentosa

Universal Studios will be an interesting place to visit with a 25% capacity cap. Assuming all the rides are open (and that’s a big assumption-it may not make sense for them to operate 100% of attractions with a 25% capacity cap), queues should be pretty much non-existent. 

I fully expect these attractions to run a few promotions to draw visitors back, but some of your credit cards may already provide offers. For example: 

• Maybank Visa Infinite cardholders can get a complimentary 5-hour VIP guided tour with priority access to rides and shows when they buy at least 4 day passes
• HSBC cardholders get a free copy of The Entertainer, which has 1-for-1 passes to Bounce
• Standard Chartered cardholders get 15% off admission to the ArtScience Museum

Staggered openings, advance bookings required at some attractions

According to the Straits Times, not all attractions will be opening immediately on 1 July.

• Universal Studios and the casino at RWS will open on 1 July
• ArtScience museum and SkyPark observation deck will open on 1 July
• Jurong Bird Park, River Safari and Singapore zoo will open to members on 3 July, and the general public on 6 July
• SEA Aquarium will open on 4 July
• Flower Dome will open on 11 July, with other attractions opening “at a later date”

Advance tickets may be required for some attractions, so don’t count on just showing up and buying. Check the website of your preferred attraction for more information. 

What about staycations?

Although local attractions are reopening, staycations are still out of the picture for now. 

I submitted a media enquiry to the STB about when staycations will be permitted, and received the following response:

Tourism-related businesses will gradually be allowed to reopen starting from Phase 2 of Singapore’s three-phase approach. This is necessary to safeguard the health and safety of our people. Further guidance for various sectors – including hotels – will be provided soon by the relevant agencies.

STB has begun to engage tourism businesses on possible safe management measures to be taken. Agencies will advise these organisations on the approval processes and timelines for their resumption at a later date, depending on the ability and readiness of the organisation to implement these measures.

Conclusion

The Jurong Bird Park may not have been on your travel bucket list for 2020, but it looks like the most realistic option at the moment. I’ve never actually visited the SkyPark at MBS, so I suppose now’s as good a time as any to check it off. 

Which local attraction are you looking forward to visit?