Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Shuts Its Doors – Expect Suddenly Free Airport Lounge Space!
Yes, you read that right. The Crowne Plaza Changi, the place where travellers are supposed to feel like royalty, will be temporarily taken off the guest list. Starting Friday, January 8th, the hotel will close for two weeks after a second unlinked Covid‑19 case popped up among its staff.
What’s Happening?
- Hotel Closure: All bookings are paused; current guests will be gradually checked out. Think of it as a “cool‑down” for the entire property.
- Air Crew Housing: Incoming flight crews and guests who are staying at the hotel will be moved to alternate accommodation. The airport’s got you covered.
- Restaurants & Events: Azur and any event spaces are shut for a deep cleanse. The pandemic hygiene plan is kicking into high gear.
- Staff Testing: The Health Ministry has kicked off tests for every staff member at the hotel. Your peace of mind is the top priority.
Who’s the New Positive Wonder?
The latest hit‑up is a 43‑year‑old Malaysian woman working at Azur, the hotel’s suburban‑style restaurant. She typically delivers pre‑packed meals to flight crews and guests – no table service, no chatty banter with diners.
She started showing symptoms on January 3rd, hit a GP clinic on Tuesday, tested positive the following day, and was whisked off to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases by ambulance. Her serology test is negative, so we’re likely dealing with a fresh case. And guess what? It doesn’t look like the wilder UK variant. Stay calm.
Timeline Snapshot
- Symptoms noticed: Jan 3
- GP visit: Jan 4
- Positive test: Jan 5
- Transported to NCIID: Jan 5
Other Covid‑19 Cases in Singapore
Meanwhile, there’s a 63‑year‑old cargo operator at AirMark Aviation who tested positive as well. He works in the hinterland of cargo handling without touching passengers. He got symptomatic on Monday, went to Changi General Hospital on Wednesday, and a positive result followed. His serology is still pending.
Insane Numbers in the Community
- Community cases up: From 7 to 9 in the past week.
- Unlinked cases: Jumped from 3 to 6.
- Patients in care: 61 still in hospital, 161 in community facilities. One ICU patient is fighting through.
- Deaths: 29 from Covid, 15 from other causes for those who tested positive.
Singapore’s official tally stands at 58,813 total cases, including 31 imported (4 Singaporeans, 3 PRs, 3 DEPs, 2 work pass holders, 19 work permit holders) from India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and more. Most of them underwent stay‑home notices and tests upon arrival.
Additional Places Hit the “Quarantine List”
Health Ministry also added Sri Senpaga Vinayagar Temple and NTUC Income at 2 Tampines Central 6 to the venues that saw infected visitors still contagious. Those who touched any of these can expect a swift notification.
What You Need to Know
- Keep your distance: If you’re a frequent flyer or plan a stay at Crowne Plaza, choose alternate accommodations.
- Stay patient: The hotel will reopen on January 21st after a thorough cleanup. So maybe plan your itinerary around that.
- Follow health advice: Wear masks, hand‑wash, and learn the latest from MOH updates.
For the latest updates, keep an eye on the officially released announcements. Below is the video link that gives more visual context, but don’t see it as a reference but a fun way to get the right vibe. (Remember, this article was originally published in The Straits Times, so we just keep you in the loop.)
