As far as hotel amenities come, this one’s pretty unique.
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa has announced that all staycation guests will receive complimentary pre-event-testing (PET) for stays between 13-19 August 2021. Per their press release:
To ensure the resort staycation experience remains uncompromised while abiding strictly by the newly introduced Safe Management Measures (SMMs), Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa will be providing complimentary Pre-Event-Testing (PET) for its staycation guests from 13 to 19 August 2021 (inclusive).
Staycation guests who have yet to complete their vaccinations can conveniently obtain their complimentary PET as the resort has arranged for a dedicated testing centre to be operated by a Ministry of Health-approved provider on-property. Upon receiving their negative PET result, these guests will be able to dine in at any of the resort’s F&B outlets as well as by the pool and on the beach.
For avoidance of doubt, this isn’t a Shangri-La wide initiative (unlike Staysurance)- only the property on Sentosa will be offering this amenity.
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa complimentary PET
Under the current COVID-19 regulations, dining-in is only permitted for individuals who are fully-vaccinated. This is defined as having completed the full regimen of Pfizer-BioNTech/ Comiraty, Moderna, or any other vaccine on the WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (i.e. AstraZeneca, Covishield, Janssen, Sinopharm, Sinovac) at least 14 days prior. The same set of restrictions apply to hotel restaurants.
Where facilities are concerned, it’s a bit more fuzzy. I don’t see anything in the rules that would prohibit non-vaccinated individuals from using them, but there have been anecdotal reports in the Telegram Group that certain hotels are imposing additional restrictions.
Regardless, this won’t be an issue for guests at the Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, at least those staying from 13-19 August 2021. The hotel has arranged for a dedicated testing centre to be operated on-site from 11 a.m to 6 p.m, available free-of-charge to guests.
Guests who are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated can take a PET, which will enable them to dine in at restaurants, or consume F&B by the pool and beach. Should they test positive, the regular procedures will apply, i.e. undergo a PCR test and self-isolate until the results come back.
Since each negative PET result is valid for 24 hours, guests may visit the testing centre each day of their staycation. Testing is entirely voluntary, and guests who prefer not to be tested will be served meals in their room.
What happens after 19 August?
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa has not committed to offering the service beyond 19 August, saying that they will monitor the government’s SMM advisories before coming to a decision.
That’s fair enough- I think they intend for this to be a transitory measure, rather than a prolonged initiative. Offer it too long, and you open yourself to accusations that you’re providing a disincentive to vaccination (or at the very least, an incentive to remain unvaccinated).
Conclusion
Singapore’s fully-vaccinated rate currently stands at 73%, with 81% having received at least one dose.
This means there’s a sizeable number of partially-vaccinated folks out there, who will surely appreciate the opportunity to do a free PET. According to the MOH, the cheapest PET starts from S$30, and can cost as much as $200 in some cases (I have no idea how that can be though, since a PCR test starts from S$135)
In any case, this is clearly meant to be a transitory measure, and everyone who can get vaccinated should get vaccinated. I just learned you can even earn $30 of HPB eVouchers for referring a senior!
“ Testing is entirely voluntary, and guests who prefer not to be tested will be served meals in their room.” – assume this is only for unvaccinated/partially vaccinated guests as the fully vaccinated should be able to dine-in/use facilities?!
Of course
Well well, I read the title as in an “animal pet”!
If they don’t want to disincentivize vaccinations, they might consider free PET for those who already have the first dose. Given you can just walk in to any centre for either Pfizer or Moderna, there is really no excuse (other than particular medical reasons) to not at least be partly vaccinated. The main problem recent first dosers have is that they could be waiting 6 weeks before they get their second dose and wait for the vaccine to take full effect. Of course there is nothing stopping people from simply getting the first dose and not taking the second, but… Read more »