Stay-Home Notice (SHN), which kicks in from 23:59 on March 20, is looming large for the droves of students and workers now returning to Singapore from overseas.

In an unprecedented move, Singapore Airlines has stepped up to help the scores of students in UK scrambling for a flight home.

An exclusive ticket arrangement with Singapore Airlines has been made for Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents (PR) to travel back to Singapore from London’s Heathrow Airport, between today (March 19) and March 31, 2020.

Those interested are to register at go.gov.sg/flyinghome2020. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed via a phone call put in by Salt&Light that this form, which bears its crest, is legitimate. 

Students will have priority over those who are working.

A text message addressed to universities’ Singapore Societies, which Salt&Light also received, said: “We are offering this facilitation to students first as the rest of the Singaporean community based here are more rooted and have other support.

“Singapore Airlines will do all possible to contact you at least 24 hours before your allocated flight, and will reach out with more lead time wherever possible. Once ticketed, Singapore Airlines reserves the right to rebook your travel on an alternative flight due to operational contingencies.

“Your safety is of utmost importance and rest assured that the Singapore High Commission in London is looking into getting additional flights if there is high unmet demand, including further arrangements in April.”

Emphasis was made that the offer was subject to availability. Those wishing to return more urgently were advised to stand by at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 2 for a flight on the day itself.

“However, Singapore Airlines cannot guarantee that they will be accepted but there is a chance that Singapore Airlines will have some seats available. In such a scenario, you should preferably not have already put in a request through this system as we would like to avoid duplication and clogging up the system.” 

For those who are in need of temporary accommodation during SHN, the Park Hotel Group has also stepped up.

Available only to returning students, residents and workers during their 14-day SHN, the group is offering discounted rates of $80 nett (superior room) applicable at Park Hotel Alexandra, Park Hotel Farrer Park and Park Hotel Clarke Quay, and $100 nett (deluxe room) at Grand Park City Hall and Grand Park Orchard.

An add-on of three meals a day for $40 nett per day per pax is also available. 

Those in need of 14-day accommodations during SHN can contact Park Hotel can e-mail [email protected] for more details. 

Explaining the need for SHN, Minister Lawrence Wong, Co-chair of the multi-ministry Taskforce on COVID-19, said at a press conference held in Singapore yesterday (March 18), that  the rise in the number of coronavirus infections is attributed mainly to imported cases, the majority of whom are Singaporeans and residents coming back from overseas.

He noted that it was “a concern”. However, as some cases were picked up at the airport and others had seen a doctor shortly after their return, the spread could be limited. 

“We cannot afford to take further risks,” Wong said.

As of 9pm today (March 19), 32 new cases (of which 24 are returning residents and long-term pass holders) brought Singapore’s total number of cases to 345. Of that number, 124 have already been discharged. 

Overseas students home-bound: Thank God for the many ETAs expected this week