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SINGAPORE – Stays were interrupted at the Mandarin Orchard Singapore, while those with stay-at-home (SHN) notices at the hotel were tested for Covid-19 on Saturday (December 19), after the Ministry Health Department (MOH) said it was investigating 13 cases of Covid-19 among people who served their SHN there.
While the hotel said all guests would be leaving on Sunday, guests with luggage were already waiting at a pickup point when The Straits Times visited on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Security personnel were available to help with the bags, and at least two ambassadors walking away safely were seen.
Most of the guests seen were families with young children.
A 37-year-old hotel guest who declined to be identified said she saw, from a distance, some people in full personal protective equipment being led to a separate part of the hotel.
“It’s probably just precautionary measures, but I thought it best to go out the night before and be safe at home,” he said. She was initially booked for a two-night stay with her two daughters, ages nine and seven.
Fitness instructor Fazli Ahmad, 29, and his wife, who were leaving the hotel after a two-night stay, said they will closely monitor any possible symptoms for the next two weeks.
“We came back from swimming in the early afternoon and saw a lot of ambassadors walking away safely at the hotel, so we thought maybe there was an event. When we read about the matter on the news, we started packing … to get ready to take a look, “he said. The couple had their seven-month-old daughter with them.
Other guests also decided to shorten their vacation after reading media reports.
Senior manager Muneer, who wanted to be known only by his first name, said he heard the news when he was shopping with his family on Orchard Road.
He decided to leave the hotel the night before, since his three-year-old daughter was with him. “It’s a bit disappointing because we had dinner plans nearby, but now we’re going home. Our mood is affected, but safety definitely comes first,” he said.
Those serving SHN at the hotel were also tested for Covid-19 to determine their status.
Project manager Ginny Leow, 51, who completed her SHN on Saturday and was supposed to leave at noon, said she only managed to get her SHN exit swab after 2pm as the test stations were ” quite busy and crowded. “
“Of course I’m worried because I’ll be staying with relatives,” she said, adding that she wasn’t sure if she should meet someone before the test results were released.
Ms. Leow lives in Vancouver, Canada, and returned to Singapore with her 13-year-old son to spend Christmas with her family.
“Today is my son’s birthday, so it’s supposed to be a happy day, but now we feel a bit insecure,” he said.
Those who had not completed their SHN were filled with uncertainty.
“I’m not sure if I should pack my things, so I kept half my belongings. The hotel should inform us about what is happening, but we also know that some of the staff may not be clear about what is happening.” , said. a 35-year-old teacher who wanted to be known only as Mrs. Kok.
After hours of no news, she finally received a call around 9:15 p.m. informing her that she would be transferred to another hotel on Sunday.
Mandarin Orchard said in a statement Saturday that it had no information on how long the hotel would be closed, as investigations are still ongoing.
He added that refunds for upcoming stays, room and restaurant reservations, and events will be processed within 14 days.
Those who need help reserving rooms can call 6737-2200.
Those with dinner reservations can call 6831-6288 or 6831-6271, while those who have booked events can call 6831-6078.
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