Singapore Holds Off Connect@Singapore Pilot Until Feb 21—Business Travelers, Breathe Easy (Soon)
Singapore’s ambitious Connect@Singapore “bubble” for short‑term business, official, and high‑value economic visitors is being pushed back. The first folks under the scheme were slated to hop onto their flights from later last month, but the opening of the front‑door—Singapore Expo’s Connect@Changi hub—now looks set for Feb 21 as the only viable check‑in point.
So what’s up? The Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI) has been quietly tightening the last nails on the first phase. Once the Expo‑area beds and meeting rooms are all in place, visitors will land, get whisked to a dedicated facility, and stay in a protected “bubble” with rigorous testing. Worth noting: this is probably the first such arrangement worldwide.
Set‑up and Features of the Connect@Changi Site
- Location: Singapore Expo & Max Atria—currently the only identified spot.
- Capacity (Phase 1): 670 guest rooms and 170 meeting rooms.
- Future Anticipation: By mid‑2021, it will balloon to 1,300 rooms and 340 meeting spaces.
Construction is almost up and running, say insiders, with rooms coming together in a four‑star finish. A snapshot from Feb 6’s official post shows cozy guest rooms and partially outfitted meeting halls, while other areas like the courtyard stare at final touches.
The Delay: A Minor Pothole, Big Impact
- MTI isn’t airing specifics on why the push‑back happened.
- They’ve hinted that application launch will sync with the actual start date of the first Connect@Singapore facility.
- Deputy director of the Singapore Tourism Board, Chew Tiong Heng, reports that the facility assessment is in the finish line; reservation slots haven’t opened yet.
Temasek Holdings, spearheading the Connect@Changi consortium, refuses to give an exact open‑day, but the balloon‑filling construction timeline suggests a Q1 2021 launch. They’re keeping the lid on details, announcing only when they’re ready.
What This Means for You
Think about it: no more cough‑cafes or mandatory stay‑aways—just a streamlined welcome to a safe, purpose‑built space. Business travelers can gear up for a quick, efficient June‑like stay without lengthy quarantine suprises. Stay tuned for the official opening on Feb 21, as the big doors ready to open and take the next step toward a pandemic‑friendly Singapore.
Connect@Changi’s First Phase Nears Completion
Final touches are being applied to the inaugural stretch of the Connect@Changi hub inside Singapore Expo and Max Atria.
Photo credit: Facebook/CONNECT AT CHANGI
What’s the Deal?
The Connect@Singapore project was unveiled on December 15 last year, aiming to beef up the existing “green lanes” for smoother travel.
Unlike the typical Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) that politely invites a handful of select nations, Connect@Changi offers a more relaxed vibe for business travelers on essential missions.
RGL Updates
- Singapore has paused its RGLs with Germany, Malaysia, and South Korea for the next three months as global COVID-19 numbers spiked in February.
- Despite that pause, the green lanes remain open for travelers coming from China.
Stay in the Loop
Want the latest on coronavirus? Keep your eyes peeled on the official updates—no hidden code or fancy links needed.
Original piece appeared in The Straits Times.
