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SINGAPORE – Singaporean students returning to the UK may have escaped quarantine upon arrival, but are likely to face new restrictions as the country experiences a surge in Covid-19 cases.
The UK is in its second wave of coronavirus infection, recording 6,873 new coronavirus cases last Friday (September 24).
This was the highest daily figure since mass testing began. This comes as many Singaporean students have returned to the UK following the lifting of the 14-day quarantine requirement for travelers from the Republic on September 19.
With the increase in the number of cases in the UK, returning students may face another round of circuit breaker-like restrictions.
However, some remain unmoved and even welcome the move towards greater regulation in the UK.
“A lockdown will be quite reassuring because the number of cases in the UK has been increasing and there is some anxiety to go back,” said Yang Xin, 22, a third-year medical student at Oxford University.
He changed his flight from one scheduled for September 19 to another on September 26 upon learning of the relaxation of the quarantine.
Biology sophomore Bryan Tan, 21, at the University of Cambridge agreed, saying it would be difficult to stop the spread of the virus without a proper government response.
“Some minor regulations already exist, but they don’t seem to be helping to slow down the exponential expansion.
“So some kind of lockdown, even a minor one, seems like the next logical step.”
[[nid:503350]]Currently, the Singapore government does not discourage student travel.
The Health Ministry in a notice on Sept. 1 said that students seeking qualifications abroad are allowed to travel, and if distance learning is not an option.
However, The Straits Times understands that the relevant ministries are monitoring the situation in the UK.
Some students still don’t take chances.
Ms Beatrice Tan, who studies social sciences with quantitative methods at University College London, was supposed to be leaving for the UK this month for her senior year.
However, her parents advised her to delay her return to London.
“It’s bittersweet, not going back,” said the disappointed 23-year-old. “I’m really looking forward to it, but there won’t be many people there and all my lessons are online anyway.”
Her mother, Mrs Loo Mee Fong, said her daughter’s health was the main reason for the decision not to return to the UK.
“It’s not safe and there are many cases. If she gets the virus there, she won’t be able to fly back and I can’t go visit her,” said Madam Loo, 55, a homemaker.
“As a mother, you are sure to worry.”
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This article was first published in The times of the strait. Permission is required for reproduction.
