Telemedicine in Singapore has seen rapid growth in Singapore post-COVID. Speedoc has announced a partnership with Parkway Shenton to expand its reach, hot on the heels of a successful round of Series B funding. M1 and Fullerton Health are even deploying telemedicine services for Singapore’s maritime sector powered by 5G connectivity. There are even trials of new telemedicine clinics that run all day and all night. There seems to be a lot of optimism surrounding online medical consultations, and various healthcare providers are following suit. But how can you fully take advantage of telemedicine in Singapore? Find out how below.

Table of Contents

• • • • How does telemedicine work?
      • How to prepare for telemedicine in Singapore?
        • 1. Choose the right platform
        • 2. Prepare Ahead of Time
        • 3. Find a Quiet and Private Space
        • 4. Test Equipment and Connectivity
        • 5. Dress Appropriately
        • 6. Be Transparent and Honest
        • 7. Payment and Insurance for Telemedicine in Singapore
      • Speedoc: Healthcare Made Easy

How does telemedicine work?

Nowadays, it’s as simple as downloading an app onto your phone or tablet, where you have video consultations with a medical professional. Some platforms, including Speedoc, even allow you to book a doctor visit or a nurse visit on their website, where you can get medical care when you need it. If you want to stay home when you’re sick, you can easily log into a telemedicine app to get a medical certificate for your illness. Rest assured, direct telemedicine providers have qualified doctors on their platforms so you’ll always be getting top-notch advice, all the while skipping the clinic queues.

How to prepare for telemedicine in Singapore?

Whether you’re a business traveller that needs constant medical attention, or a digital nomad that needs referral letters for medication, telemedicine in Singapore can help you with that. To make sure you have a successful and productive virtual consultation with your healthcare provider, here are some of the best practices that you can follow:

1. Choose the right platform

For minor ailments such as a sore throat or a cold, you can check out platforms like Speedoc, Minmed, and Whitecoat. The public sector is catching up too: eligible patients at the National University Health System can use the OneNUHS app,  the first telemedicine platform for public healthcare in Singapore.  If you need medical services outside of normal business hours, the Ministry of Health has a list of approved telemedicine providers who are able to provide telemedical services 24 hours every day. There are platforms that specifically focus on mental health too.

That said, not all medical conditions can be treated over video consultations. Chronic diseases and conditions with severe pain may still require in-person care for a more accurate diagnosis. Visit the A&E emergency medical department, or dial 995 for an ambulance immediately when you have a life-threatening condition that may require emergency attention, such as:

• Sudden onset of weakness, numbness, or slurred speech
• Head trauma
• Broken bones
• Severe burns
• Large open wounds
• Severe blood loss
• Choking
• Shortness of breath

2. Prepare Ahead of Time

While this isn’t a Zoom meeting for work or your classes, preparing ahead of time will go a long way to make sure your online consultations will always be fruitful. Think of a telemedicine appointment as if you were meeting your doctor face-to-face. So prepare for your consultation by gathering all necessary medical records, medications, and a detailed list of any symptoms you’re experiencing. Jot down any burning questions or nagging concerns you’ve got for your healthcare provider, and don’t forget to record the medical advice too.

3. Find a Quiet and Private Space

Choose a quiet and private location for the telemedicine consultation. If you’re home with your children at your Singapore condo rental, perhaps you can retreat to your bedroom so they won’t disrupt your call. To improve communication with your healthcare provider, try to reduce distractions and interruptions. A well-lit area and a stable internet connection are necessary for optimal video and audio quality, especially when you need to show skin rashes or any skin irritation to the doctor.

4. Test Equipment and Connectivity

While you may not be live-streaming a game, consultations through video call of course require your equipment and internet connection to be in top form so that you can stay focused. So make sure your device is ready to capture, listen, and speak! Check that your camera, microphone, and speakers are all in perfect working order. Also, test your internet connection to avoid any potential technical issues during the consultation. If you’re especially prepared, always have a backup device ready in case of any issues.

5. Dress Appropriately

While you may be at home, it is important to dress appropriately for your telemedicine consultation. That creates a professional environment, where you show your consideration and respect towards your healthcare provider’s time and expertise.

6. Be Transparent and Honest

To get the most effective advice, you need to openly communicate your medical history, current health status, and any symptoms you’re experiencing. This also applies when you need sexual health advice, where some may feel uncomfortable sharing certain details. That said, it’s best to stay honest, even if you haven’t been adhering to prescribed treatments and medications.

All that communication goes both ways. If you need more clarifications and details, you can always ask the medical care provider during the telemedicine session. Effective communication ensures that your healthcare provider understands your concerns and addresses them effectively.

7. Payment and Insurance for Telemedicine in Singapore

For most providers of telemedicine in Singapore, they often accept cashless payments, be it from debit cards or credit cards. Also, don’t forget that there are delivery charges for your medicine delivery on top of your prescription. Most of the time, you’ll get the payment details, along with your medical certificate, be it via email or within the platform.

When it comes to medical insurance, some insurance companies have partnered with the various telemedicine platforms in Singapore. If you’re working full-time in Singapore, you can check if your employer covers the cost of telehealth. Check with your insurance provider if they cover costs on the telemedicine platform you use.

Speedoc: Healthcare Made Easy

The future of healthcare is here. Receiving quality medical care should never be a hassle. You shouldn’t have to wait for hours at the hospital, nor figure out where, when, and how to get the right care.

With Speedoc, their end-to-end care system will connect you with qualified medical professionals, whether you need in-person or remote monitoring.

Enjoy partner rates with Speedoc today with these exclusive codes!

• MetroRes2023 – Book a health screening (from $90) or a food allergy test (from $183).
• MetroVIP2023 – Consult a doctor over a video consultation call for $11.88 only (via the Speedoc app)

Download Speedoc on iOS and Android devices today

Just moved to Singapore? Welcome to the little red dot! That said, Crypto isn’t taking over the financial system just yet. So you still need to open a good-old bank account in Singapore to access your savings and funds. It becomes all the more important when you’re starting a business in Singapore. Here’s a quick guide on what you need to have to open a bank account in Singapore, as well as the range of banking options out there.

1. Things to consider
2. What documents to prepare
3. Can foreigners open a bank account in Singapore without EP?
4. Expat-friendly banks
5. Online vs Walk-In
6. Savings Account options

What should I consider when choosing the right bank?

• Location of branch

Is there a convenient location near your home or workplace? Though most transactions can be done through internet banking or mobile banking apps these days, this might not be a big concern. While you can check if the bank from your home country has a branch in Singapore, most foreign banks would only have a handful of branches in Singapore. So if you’re interested in investment products and other financial services of a foreign bank, you’d have to travel all the way down to their branch.

• Location of self-service lobbies

Some bank branches offer 24/7 services with self-serve facilities such as cheque deposit boxes, cash deposit machines, and ATMs; all great options to help skip the long queues. Some DBS/POSB bank branches even have video teller machines (VTM) that can offer services such as issuing a Debit Card or ATM Card, as well as face-to-face video teller assistance.

All AXS Machines and DBS/POSB ATMs let you top-up your EZ-Link card as well. If you have an OCBC account, you’d have to look out for OCBC ATMs with the EZ-Link logo.

• Accessibility of ATMs

Not all banks have their own ATMs, some have an extensive and shared network.

Local banks such as DBS-POSB has the most ATM locations (over 677 ATMs). Due to its local popularity, DBS-POSB ATMs generally feature long queues.

UOB (United Overseas Bank) and OCBC (Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation) have shared networks of over 800 ATMs.

Other foreign banks like Citibank, Standard Chartered and HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) have a shared network of 63, 107 and 90 ATMs, respectively.

Looking for serviced apartments near Orchard Road? Here are a few options for you.

• Interest rates

Interest rates are frequently tiered based on balance and range from 0.05% to 3.5%. Interest range is driven by the balance you maintain and number or amount of transactions (salary credit, bill payments, credit card spend etc).

• Minimum initial deposit

Most banks require this to set up a bank account. And you don’t need to fear for a bank run. The Deposit Insurance Schemes protects Singapore dollar deposits of bank and non-bank depositors for up to S$75,000 in aggregate per depositor per Scheme member by law.

If you’re closing your account, do note that most banks charge a closure fee.

• Minimum deposit amount and fall below fee

Minimum balance to maintain and/or is subject to monthly bank service fees.

• International money transfers

If you plan on transferring money back to your home country in your home local currency, check what the typical FX rates are compared to FX boards and what the transfer charges (flat fee or percentage commission) are. We find that the global banks like HSBC and CITIBANK have the most competitive transfer rates and fees but require high minimum deposits for expats to open an account (more than SG$50K). But if you’re looking for convenience, the DBS Multi-Currency account is also a great choice.

• Foreign currency accounts

Interest rates are frequently tiered based on balance and range from 0.05% to 3.5%. Interest range is driven by the balance you maintain and number or amount of transactions (salary credit, bill payments, credit card spend etc). But if you’re lucky enough, you may get extra bonus interest rates when banks offer those types of promotions.

The interest rates can be affected by the different types of bank accounts. Nowadays, most banks are luring customers in with all kinds of high-interest savings accounts, be it with rebates on your credit card spending or your salary credit transactions.

Coming to Singapore? Check out the prices of Studio Unit for Rent in Singapore

What documents do I need at hand?

• Passport
• Employment Pass
• Proof Of Address (POA)

Some banks would also need a Proof of Mobile Ownership as well. If you don’t have a Long Term Visit Pass, some banks would even need a letter of reference from another bank that you use, or a letter from an introducer.

Can foreigners open a bank account in Singapore without an employment pass?

Foreigners need a long-term visit pass to open a bank account in Singapore. The pass can be a Student Pass, Employment Pass, Work Permit, S Pass, or Dependent Pass.

While most banks let you sign up for their different financial products on line, opening bank accounts for foreigners may also require proof of identity (passport, national ID) and proof of residence (phone bills or utility bills).

If you’re not staying in Singapore for a long term, you can consider alternative financial accounts like Wise. Though those types of services may not let you pay cash via PayNow, a popular near-instant real-time payment system used by many banks in Singapore.

Are there Expat-friendly banks?

Say hello to the DBS Expat Programme.

We find that it’s more important to have your bank account up and running as soon as possible. So stop weighing the interest rate differences (which is only significant for balances of more than $30K). For a smooth and easy set-up, we suggest the DBS Expat Programme.

The programme not only allows you to apply online but it allows you to apply with just your IPA (In-principle approval letter) and use your employers address as your application address (you will need a formal letter from your employer confirming your employment). You can subsequently update your account address when you have settled your accommodation.

Should I set-up my account online or at the bank?

Online
To apply online, simply upload the necessary documents and wait to hear back on whether your application is successful. Occasionally, the bank may ask you to head down to their local branch for in-person verification.

Walk-in
Most banks require you to head into the bank to apply in person with the required documents. Prevent having to make multiple trips by checking what documents are required online, before anything else.

Check out these 1 bedroom serviced apartment options in Singapore!

How long does it usually take?

For the DBS expat programme, the online application depends on your profile – between 1 – 2 weeks.

For walk-ins, if you have all your documents in place, you could do so in less than an hour if there is no queue. It helps if you have a local mobile number so that you can get an SMS-queue number.

List of banks that offer Savings Accounts

DBS/POSB
Website
Contact Number: 1800 111 1111

UOB (United Overseas Bank)
Website
Contact Number: 1800 222 2121

OCBC (Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation)
Website
Contact Number: 1800 363 3333

Standard Chartered Bank
Website
Contact Number: 6225 8888

Maybank
Website
Contact Number: 6550 7888

CIMB (Commerce International Merchant Bankers)
Website
Contact Number: 6333 7777

HSBC (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation)
Website
Contact Number: 1800 4722 669

Citibank
Website
Contact Number: 6225 5225

Bank of China
Website
Contact Number: 1800 338 5335

Relogo is a one-stop relocation concierge to take care of the endless mundane details of relocating so you can get the most out of your time in Singapore. Our services range from a lite package covering the essential settling-in tasks to a full prime package that takes care of your partner’s and children’s lifestyle needs. Explore Relogo’s services here! 

This article is brought to you by Relogo and Metroresidences

New norms aren’t new anymore. They’re just.. norms now. 

As we break into the second half of the year, many industries including that of travel and hospitality are adapting and revamping in response to the coronavirus pandemic. With a million jobs on the line and billions of lives at risk, governments are carefully and intricately juggling the two to ensure minimal disruption to their people’s lives.

How will global travel change? How will travellers adapt? What can we do to prepare ourselves?

Flying high and safe

As many more airlines plan to resume flights as early as this month, the first round of travellers (travelling to reunite with their families or for essential work) will experience the changes first hand.

Seen in this Singapore Airlines video recently released, it’s evident that airlines globally besides have been thinking hard on how to ensure safety and health of travellers.

From digital menus and catalogues to prevent and reduce physical interactions between cabin crews and travellers, complimentary Care Kits to HEPA filters to ensure the air that travellers breathe is safe.

Check out their presentation here. If you’re interested to read more on their new efforts.

On top of these, both governments and airlines are enforcing in-flight social distancing. That means at least one empty seat between two fliers. Increased cleaning frequencies mean additional manpower too. However, with these measures in place, come painful cost.

As the airline industry is expected to lose $84.3 billion in 2020, these additional (but necessary) measures are akin to rubbing salt on open wounds. Unfortunately, yet not surprisingly, travellers are set to bear these costs.

With reports of flight tickets doubling, we definitely hope this is only temporary and to be able to fly once again – to any country of our heart’s desire, for more than just work or ‘essential travel’!

As we expect aftershocks from this Covid-19 pandemic and threats of a second wave, industries in the tourism sector are preparing and bracing themselves with safeguards and close compliance to regulations. Cruise lines, railway travel and other modes of travel are set to return too and on the path of recovery, it will be interesting to see what new measures will be placed.

Stop! Health-check time!

Not too long ago, when wanderlust hits you square in the face, all you needed was just your passport, flight ticket(s) and an inexpensively short Grab ride to Changi to fly. Plus, with many budget airlines and flights, you could theoretically have dim sum for breakfast in Hong Kong and a tom yum steamboat dinner in Bangkok in only a few hours.

Those days are sorely missed.

With travel restrictions in place, not only by the Singaporean government but also by hundreds of other countries globally, it’s no longer as easy to travel – for now at least. World travel and tourism has never seen anything like this.

As if visas aren’t troublesome already, there are now dozens of countries requesting for health declarations before travellers are permitted to enter – it’s pretty likely this will be here to stay until a vaccine is found.

A safe place to lay your head

Modes of travel, immigration, and accommodation. These 3 are the main pillars to travel. So what can we do to choose the best choice on where we should sleep when abroad in the midst of the pandemic?

If you’ve always frequented hotels, perhaps now would be a great time to consider serviced residences. Lesser foot traffic, fewer people sharing common facilities (compared to hotels and resorts), and non-centralised air conditioning are just a few reasons to consider so.

A cosy and private studio apartment scrubbed top to bottom to ensure travellers’ safety. Just walking distance away from two MRT stations.

A contactless check-in experience is important too. Efficiency aside, it’s definitely safer to check-in (and out) digitally without human contact. Elbow grease (actual grease from arms of weary travellers) on reception desks? Heck no. It’s 2020 and we’ve got a pandemic going on!

Digital contracts, payment and even PIN-locked mailboxes holding keys to apartments and homes are definitely here to stay. If anything, this pandemic has definitely accelerated digital transformations across industries.

With the situation changing almost daily, it’s important to choose accommodation that offers flexible contracts for last-minute cancellations. I can’t stress enough, how important this is; as I’m still waiting for my refund on my flight ticket!

With MetroResidences for example, simply ping our customer service team (live chat, our MetroConnect app or good ol’ email) to arrange a guilt-free, hassle-free and quick cancellation when the need arises.

I know… it sucks being cooped up at home. It’s almost summertime too.

But for the sake of the many, many more summers to come, this is but a necessary and easy sacrifice relative to our healthcare workers’ sacrifices. However, if you’re required to travel for work or other essential travel reasons, do take the necessary safety precautions and opt to stay with MetroResidences!

Crisis situations like this bring out the best and worst in people. We are seeing the best among teachers, parents, public transportation drivers, entrepreneurs and healthcare workers – sacrificing their time and health, giving their 100%.

However, the worst is something we least expected amidst this Covid-19 pandemic.

Late April, there were cases around the world where frontline workers, doctors and nurses that work in hospitals were attacked because of fears of them bringing the deadly coronavirus back into neighbourhoods and/or into homes.

From nurses getting strangled to death in Mexico, healthcare workers getting hit in the face with bleach in Philippines,to stones hurled at health officials in India,these are just a few of the many cases reported around the world. According to the WHO, there are already 35 cases of such attacks across 11 countries.

The situation in Singapore is the same too; nurses have been reported to be ostracized as early as February in MRTs and public places. 

The result? Healthcare workers abandoning their scrubs and uniforms in fear of being attacked or bullied. With the number of people signing up as volunteers have declined too across several charity organisations and NGOs, if this continues, we’ll see much fewer professionals in the already manpower-starved healthcare industry.

Are you a frontline worker in search of discounted accommodation? Click here!

Sadly, this isn’t  unique to the Covid-19 situation. In 2019, there were 4 Ebola workers who were killed in Congo and similar anecdotes from the SARS epidemic in 2002.

However, there is a way to help. As nations globally enforce quarantine/lock-down measures, the travel industry is directly affected – resulting in dozens if not hundreds of vacant rooms and residences. Why not put them to good use? These vacant hotels, serviced apartments and residences can be used to temporarily house healthcare and other essential workers in this pandemic.

Introducing our Safe Home Programme

We, at MetroResidneces, are taking our serviced apartments and making them a home for our frontline workers.

Properties offered by Safe Home Programme will be heavily discounted and includes essential facilities, like laundry and kitchen facilities, to ensure these workers have a sense of home during these troubled times. Under this initiative, frontline workers will be able to book selected apartments at special rates.

“Ultimately, we want to provide a safe and secure space where frontline workers can rest well without the concern of potentially infecting their loved ones.”
– James Chua, CEO, MetroResidences

Protecting healthcare workers’ immediate families

Fears of being in close proximity with doctors and nurses are not unfounded. Frontline workers in hospitals work in extremely high-risk environments as they care for infected Covid-19 patients.

Though precautions are taken, including proper use and wear of personal protective equipment (PPE), infections still happen.

Similar to circuit breaker measures, we must isolate people of high risk from the larger community, reducing intra-community spread of the virus.

Fully furnished and flexible places of stay

In Singapore alone, there are 14 public and 9 private hospitals spread across the island. However, not all essential workers work in close proximity to their places of work.

With serviced apartments and residences stepping in, they are able to choose the closest apartment to their place of work. Nurses that work together in the same shifts could even stay together by choosing units with 2, 3 or even 4 rooms!

This cuts down travel time between work and ‘home’, reducing the risk of transmission along their journey of commute.

Most apartments come fully furnished too – wifi, air-conditioning, washing machines – providing them a comfortable and luxurious place to stay.

Feasible solution for long term stay

Such residences are also suitable for long term stays. With shopping malls and grocery stores in the vicinity of most of these residences, healthcare workers are able to buy their groceries and essentials and cook them in the fully equipped kitchens.

Kitchens and dining areas have becoming a must for modern day living, however not always available in private accommodation options like hotel rooms.

This way, when nurses are not on their shifts, they are able to ‘stay home’ too, in the comfort and safety of their apartments – also ensuring the safety of their family members and loved ones.

Sustainable alternative for quarantine measures

In Singapore, foreign workers who have recovered from the virus have been housed on SuperStar cruise ships. This is a response to the lack of properly ventilated and adequately spaced accommodation for them to be temporarily isolated from the wider community and population.

However, more space is still needed.

Not only for infected and recovering patients but also professionals (medical experts, for example) arriving in Singapore to assist or consult healthcare bodies – are required to be quarantined for at least 2 weeks. China sent their medical experts to Malaysia, Cuban medical teams to Honduras, and even experts moving between states in countries around the world.

Such movements, with quarantine orders that usually come along with it, require more available accommodation to house these individuals until they complete their stay-home notice period.

Even after they complete their stay-home notice, will still able to stay in the same residence until they leave the country.

As the battle with the virus rages on, everyone in their respective professions and industries are finding ways to contribute to vanquishing the virus as soon as we can – at the same time, bringing out the best in all of us.

To learn more about…

Check out the Safe Home Programme here and find out how you or someone you know, can find a safe space to rest while leading the lines in fighting this coronavirus.

As lock-down measures around the world are showing effect on the coronavirus pandemic, albeit slowly, many of us have adapted our lifestyles indoors. Almost accidentally, we have come to realize that most of our daily activities could have been done more efficiently and with less time.

Now, we are:

• no longer spending hours daily commuting between work and home
• shopping online for groceries
• having fewer or no physical meetings (always knew that meeting could have been just an email!)
• exercising indoors

These are just a few examples of activities that we wouldn’t have been able to do as easily just a few years ago! And it’s all thanks to the magic of the internet.

With that same internet magic, we’re now able to view apartments virtually. Cameras, phone and software technologies have vastly improved by leaps and bounds over the years too, making high-resolution and seamless viewing of photos possible.

Booking an apartment

A good trip starts with a great booking experience. Believing in the philosophy of “show, not tell”, we’ve combined both internet magic and modern technologies (shout-out to our tech and product team!) to design what essentially is a 24/7 showroom on our website. 

Through this, we’re able to show our guests accurate apartment photos, locations, details of amenities and etc on any device.

If you find viewing photos in a traditional web gallery a little boring, then check out our 360° Virtual Apartment Tours! In case you haven’t noticed this button on several of our serviced apartment listings, you really should check it out.

What’s a feature if there are no benefits? Here are 3 top reasons why our 360° tours will enhance modern traveller booking experience.

1. Immersive and detailed viewing in the palm of your hands.

Understandably, if you’re looking for a serviced apartment to live in for a significantly long/extended period of time, you’ll want to know every inch of the place.

Things like the size of toilet bowls, how do the curtains look, what the air conditioning layout is like – you will be able to see almost every single detail with our 360° virtual tour.

Notice the arrows in this GIF. By clicking on different arrows (virtually) seen in this beautiful apartment in Redhill, you’ll be able to virtually enter the rooms of the apartment and look around. 

What you see here is what you get in our apartments. Our team strives to keep the virtual tours as as authentic as possible; that means using natural lighting to show you the apartment in true colour and non-wide camera lenses to give you an honest space estimate. Anything more realistic, you’d be able to smell the fresh sheets!

2. Save time, save money.

If you’re taking notes, you’ll realise that tour shown in that gif covered the living room, toilet and bedroom – all in just 23 seconds. Assuming that we require a whole full minute to view an apartment, we’d be able to view 22 apartments in the same runtime as an episode of Friends.

With almost 300 listings just in Singapore on our website, there are many apartments of different locations, price, amenities and design. It’ll definitely be a waste if only a few are explored. Make full use of your time with our 360° virtual tour feature and explore as many as you can based on your preferences!

3. Make sharing accommodation-inspo cool again.

Oh, did we mention that this 360° virtual tour is also available on any device including mobile phones?

If you’re travelling with your partner, family members or perhaps even a colleague for a business trip, share details of your booked apartment simply by just sharing the URL. Our website is optimized for browsers on any platform. Your loved ones will be able to experience the same virtual tour you’ve experienced too!

If you’ve noticed this icon that looks like a robot-mask, that’s a feature included in our 360° virtual tour. It’s for an unparalleled VR experience!

To enjoy this feature however, requires additional (but really affordable) hardware; hardware that your tech savvy friends may already have.

Here’s an example of how we’ve taken a 360° virtual experience to another level –

For everything else, we’ve got your back with the help of our round-the-clock customer service team. We’re contactable by every modern means possible – email, call (both mobile and office) and there’s also our virtual assistant, Michelle, always there 24/7 on our website!

Just in case you have additional questions such as on the nearest pub, nearest MRT station or even the nearest Michelin star restaurant of the apartment that you fancy. Anything to let us understand your travel plans and to help you get the best apartment possible – we’re always here to help.

If you’re already staying with us, and prefer a human touch, the team will be able to assist on anything – like your plans that may have been affected by unforeseen circumstances, such as recommending/ordering airport taxis. Nothing’s too trivial for us! Contact our friendly staff here, via booking@metroresidences.sg.

Designing the entire experience as a contactless service not only saves time but also provides an extremely smart experience to the modern traveller. From viewing apartments, booking with your credit card, to key collection (yes, we also courier or place keys into safe boxes for guests to collect) for checking in, you’ll find lots of praise from the guests who have stayed in our apartments.

Being digital nomads and business travellers ourselves, we’ve always valued the convenience of getting things done with little or no contact. From getting groceries and online shopping to pizza and bubble tea deliveries, getting things done contactless has become more of a luxury than convenience.

On top of our team’s ramped-up efforts to sanitize our apartments more regularly, we’ve employed different technologies and methods to help keep our processes as contact-free as possible; ideal for this pandemic. 

In this article, we will share how easy it is to book your favourite serviced apartment; from collecting keys to saying goodbye, with no human contact at all throughout the entire process!

Introverts, calm yourselves.

Finding what you need

You’ve got to agree that when it comes to booking accommodations – be it for short term or long term stays, pictures do the talking. After all, why not choose an aesthetically pleasing apartment that is both ideally located and great for the ‘gram?

Our tech team values the same principle and have made it super easy to check out the shots of all of our apartments – whether you are on your laptop, tablet or phone.

Have specific questions or concerns that need addressing? Talk to Michelle – she will be your virtual guide on this MetroResidences journey to finding your next home.

With the essential snaps of fully furnished apartments, we’ve made it easier to help you make your decision too. Our team of digital copywriters carefully highlight key features of the different apartments so you don’t have to call or strain your eyes looking for Waldo in our apartment photos (no, there’s no Waldo). 

Quick and painless payments

Once you’ve keyed in the dates of your intended stay, you’ll be brought to the Payment page and prompted to input your credit card details.

If you’re keeping track, that’s just clicking:

1. “Book Now”
2. “Select Dates”

and voila! You’ve arrived at the payment page.

After you are done with payment, you will receive a confirmation via e-mail from us and all subsequent paperwork will be done online. “You mean, everything is online?!” Yes, we’re not kidding. You’ll be contacted digitally and we assure you, it’s as easy as ordering pizza.

If you have questions that you want to clarify or have additional requests for the apartment of your choice, we’re available for calls on our hotline. We aim to be contactless but not uncontactable!

Now that you’ve found the perfect apartment, let’s collect those keys.

Check-ins made seamless

Following us on the contactless experience so far? There’s more.

Traditionally, key collection has always required some form of physical contact and interaction. However, to ensure all steps along the way follow our contactless service philosophy, we have adopted alternatives – from putting keys into safe boxes outside homes to smart digital locks. We can even deliver the keys to you!

Not only will this result in getting things done more efficiently (as there’s less time required to coordinate meet-ups), we too are playing our part as responsible members of society – reducing the risk of getting infected and/or transmitting the Covid-19 virus to others amidst this pandemic.

Now that all the paperwork is done and you’re safe within the cozy confines of the apartment with a fully equipped kitchen, bedrooms and living rooms, you can finally make yourself feel right at home.

Fret not, our cleaning crew takes hygiene and cleanliness extremely seriously and you can rest assured that our service apartments are thoroughly sanitized.

Just in case there are any issues during your stay or if you need help on personal matters, the customer service team is always on standby – you guessed it – 100% online. As shared previously, we’re just a phone call away or if you prefer texting (who doesn’t!?) with Michelle, our virtual assistant to resolve any issues you may encounter in the apartment.

If you’ve been staying with us for the past few months and will be checking out soon, we’ve made the experience easy too. Depending on which apartment you’re currently residing in, it can be as easy as dropping off your keys in safe boxes or letting the digital smart lock do its magic, that’s all you have to do before leaving the apartment!

We’ve always valued the convenience of getting things done through our handy devices and in the comfort of being indoors. So why not serviced apartments as well? 

These steps and measures that we’ve coupled with the help of different technologies saves a heap of time and is essential to ensure the health and safety of our guests. So, we look forward to your next stay with us. See you soon, online of course!

Remember kids, wash your hands and stay indoors!

It has been a rough week. If you’re getting cabin fever, you’re not alone. (But if you are actually having a fever, please see a doctor!)

Nations around the world have asked their citizens to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus among communities. Some nations such as Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, have completely shut their borders and only allow citizens in. 

When will conditions improve? Nobody knows. But what we do in the next few weeks will dictate the two possible outcomes; that things will improve dramatically (with few or no new cases) or worsen drastically (many more deaths).

What’s the difference between a Quarantine Order (QO), being under a Leave of Absence (LOA) and a Stay-Home Notice (SHN)?

Quarantine Order

A QO is a legal order issued to individuals who are suspected to be a carrier of the virus or confirmed to be infected. Those under the QO will be isolated from others and may be either quarantined at Government Quarantine Facilities or at home.

There will be spot checks by health officials and if found to be non compliant, heavy measures will be enforced, on top of being fined up to $10,000 or jailed up to six months.

Stay-Home Notice

SHN is issued to everyone (from citizens to pass holders) returning to Singapore where the person must stay in his/her accomodation at all times during the 14 day SHN period. Even if it’s to purchase food and essentials, a person issued with a SHN isn’t allowed to leave the residence.

Leave of Absence

LOA is the least severe of the three. Only as a precautionary measure, people on LOA should remain in their residences as much as possible, have as few visitors over as possible and have a good record of persons with whom they come in close contact.

They are also allowed to leave their residences but highly encouraged to only head outdoors for essential duties & to minimize time spent in public spaces.

These three, QO, SHN and LOA are orders under the Infectious Diseases Act. If you are issued any of the above orders, do play your part in this time of crisis, and stay in the comfort of your home.

How does staying at home help?

Honestly, in a way, it’s more for healthcare professionals at the front-line than for you.

By staying at home, there will be fewer transmissions within and between communities, reducing clusters and effectively, fewer confirmed/positive cases across a period of time.

That means more focus for doctors & nurses to the patients and more beds available. The principle here is to make sure our national health system does not collapse. If it does, governments around the world may find themselves in difficult positions.

This can be summarized to the phrase “flattening the curve”

What precautions or measures can I take when I’m outside?

If you really have to head out – to fetch groceries, work or urgent matters, try not to spend too much time outside. If possible, try to run your errands in the vicinity within walking distance from your area of residence. Follow the principle of not getting infected, and not to infect others.

On masks

Thus far, the government’s recommendation on the use of masks is for individuals who are only sick as per the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendation.

However, in the recent announcement by PM Lee on the nation-wide circuit breaker, everyone was encouraged to wear when in public. This is because there is some evidence that infected people showing no symptoms may infect others too. Since 5th April, in Singapore, every household will be issued masks too.

Now, every one heading out HAS TO WEAR A MASK. If not, face a penalty of a hefty fine.

So, wear a mask when you’re outside.

Social distancing

Keep a safe distance from others in public. If you haven’t noticed already, entities providing essential services (restaurants, supermarkets) have begun demarcating lines at queues, closing seats that are abreast or opposite and limiting numbers of people in a store/shop.

With social distancing, the risk of infection is lowered (not eliminated) therefore reducing community transmission. 

Proper hygiene

According to current evidence, COVID-19 virus is primarily transmitted between people through respiratory droplets and contact routes. At MRT stations, try not to touch that handrail when you’re up the escalator, train your sense of balance when in the train and not touch those handles and sanitise (wash yo hands!) as frequent as possible.

What else can I do to help from home?

Glad you asked!

First, you can help by reducing panic within the community. Across the world, fake news is spreading faster than the virus itself – propagating via popular texting applications like Whatsapp, Facebook and Telegram.

From microwaving face masks, to inhaling steam and drinking warm water to kill viruses, many of these fake news lull people into a false sense of security and safety. Ultimately these people may head outdoors unnecessarily and will be exposed to greater risk of catching the virus. 

If you find yourself receiving such messages, always verify with approved sources and seek to correct & educate. Little by little, we will be able to curb the spread of fake news.

Secondly, do not hoard food and essentials. The government has repeatedly assured us that there is enough food to last us awhile. To quote the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong;

“We have enough food supplies to last us through this period and beyond. You can still shop at the supermarket or wet market. And you need not rush to stock up for weeks at a time. You can still buy food from your favourite hawker centres or coffee shop.”

PM Lee, 3rd April 2020

By hoarding food and essentials, those who may need it more may be deprived of such necessities, on top of creating unnecessary panic.

These are turbulent times and everyone can play their part collectively to curb the spread of Covid-19 – all in the comfort of home. Be sure your Wi-fi and electricity bills are paid, let’s stay home and get through this together!

#SGunited #stayathome

How is MetroResidences doing their part?

Just as you are staying home, we’re making sure your serviced apartment is one worth staying in. Our housekeeping and maintenance teams are still operational. However, we have taken steps to ensure that everyone is safe and following the necessary procedures.

– We sanitize living areas and frequent touchpoints  with Antibacterial Titanium Dioxide Surface Cleaner.

– Our housekeeping and maintenance team undergoes daily temperature screening.

– We don surgical face masks and gloves to keep everyone safe.

– All our incoming guests are subjected to a strict travel and wellness declaration form.

Should you have any questions or need assistance, do contact us at booking@metroresidences.sg

Emergencies come at times we least expect. Knowing what to do and which appropriate channel to reach out to can sometimes be the difference between life and death. But what happens when you’re overseas? Is the process any different from the emergency ambulance services at home? 

“What’s the Singapore ambulance number?”

“Isn’t there only one Singapore ambulance number?”

Many of us on the tiny island of Singapore aren’t fully aware of the emergency and non-emergency numbers/ambulances available. Be it, locals or foreign travellers,  it’s important to know the right channels to contact depending on the emergency situation at hand to receive the best emergency medical service.

So if you’re here on business or holiday, here’s what you need to know about Singapore emergency hotlines, what other home medical services are out there and the convenience of house call doctors – you need to know what Singapore emergency number to call!

• • How do I assess an emergency? 
  • What emergency hotlines can I contact?
  • What is a non-emergency situation?
  • What are the non-emergency hotlines (or channels) I can contact?
  • How to better prepare myself

How do I assess an emergency?

So what does an emergency really mean? Although it might seem obvious, it can be tricky when assessing different situations. Let’s break it down; here are some general instances when you should call an emergency ambulance:

• Someone is unconscious or experiencing severe dizziness
• Can’t breathe or are choking
• Severe chest pains
• Broken bones
• Deep cuts causing a massive loss of blood
• Head injuries
• Injuries to your spine or neck
• Fall from heights
• Poisoning
• Severe allergies
• Someone is drowning
• Severe scalding and burns
  

What emergency hotlines can I contact?

If you are in a situation where someone is experiencing any of the above-mentioned examples, call 995 immediately! Calling 995 will connect you to a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) ambulance. These emergency ambulance services will bring the patient to the nearest public hospital and/or restructured hospital.

What is a non-emergency situation?

The same goes for non-emergency situations. Why is it important to know the difference? 

Well, first of all, you will be charged $274 for requesting an emergency ambulance to tend to a non-emergency call. Also, misuse of SCDF emergency ambulances is a waste of resources; there might be someone else in a much dire situation that could have used that ambulance instead of you!

So, if you have the following ailments or medical situations that require medical attention, perhaps consider calling a non-emergency ambulance instead:

• Toothache or mild headache
• Gastric pains
• Mild fever
• Long term pains
• Small cuts and bruises
• Medical check-ups/follow-ups

What non-emergency hotlines can I contact?

To request an ambulance that best suits your needs in such situations, call 1777 for a Private Ambulance. Do note that you will be charged for this service and the extent of this price is based on the case. 

However, you can expect a long wait when requesting one. Luckily, there are services out there to help you with this hassle. One service you can look to is Speedoc. Patients can tap an app for on-demand private ambulance services in non-emergency cases It’s as simple as booking a private-hire car.

With the ambulance-hailing feature on the Speedoc app (Speedoc app is the first ambulance-booking app in Singapore!), users who need a private ambulance for non-emergency cases, don’t have to call over 20 operators individually or the 1777 hotline and wait for as long as two hours, for confirmation.

Requests made via the app can significantly cut down your waiting time to only around 30 minutes. Users can request for private ambulances for transport to healthcare institutions in Singapore including hospitals, nursing homes, and hospices.

Speedoc ambulance booking service includes:

• Transport to hospital
• Transport home after discharge
• Scheduled medical transport

The cost of calling a private ambulance via the app can range from $120 to $170, depending on the location, time of day and demand. In comparison, typical booking fees for a private ambulance can be from about $50 to $130 just for a one-way trip.

What non-emergency hotlines can I contact?

Healthcare institutes and neighbourhood clinics in Singapore are infamous for their winding long queues and extended waiting times. It’s the last thing anyone ill would want to face when wanting to see the doctor. So why not bring the doctor to you?

House-call medical services on demand by Speedoc helps you to cut out the travel and waiting time it takes to visit a GP (general practitioner) and get the medical consultation you need right to your doorstep in a shorter amount of time, 24/7; all in the comfort of your apartment.

This article is brought to you by Speedoc and MetroResidences

About Speedoc

Speedoc was founded in 2017 in Singapore, with a mission to prove that medical care need not be a lengthy, cumbersome experience. With the ageing population to address and improved access to technology, Speedoc built a complete end-to-end system for doctors and patients, so that house call doctor services can be provided with ease and minimal burden to people in the community. 

With Speedoc, home medical services need not be limited to only immobile patients, but to everyday people who may require GP or A&E visits for themselves or their loved ones. For more information, please visit https://www.speedoc.com/, or download the app on the App Store and Google Play.

A change of scenery is always nice. Even though Singapore is a jungle of towering blocks of concrete, no two neighbourhoods in Singapore are the same. A stay in bustling Orchard is different than the quiet beach getaways of the East, like Pasir Ris and Bedok.

And moving is such a chore, with the hassle of boxing everything up, moving it from one place to another, and then unpacking it again. Thankfully, there are movers in Singapore that make it easy for us.

Whether you’re relocating to Singapore to a serviced apartment or residence in Singapore like us or an HDB (Housing Development Board) flat or a hotel room, you’ll need movers. So here are 6 Singapore movers that make the way you move easy.

SIR Move is a relocation company based in Singapore and Malaysia. They offer a range of services including domestic moves, international inbound and outbound moves, commercial moves and courier services.

Their comprehensive list of moving services also includes:

• MOVEPREP – A pre-move planning service to get you ready for the big day.
• MOVEPET – Pet relocation service.
• MOVEConciegre – A help service, to help expatriates relocate to Singapore.
• MOVEDetox – A welcome package that helps you deal with the stresses of moving.
• MOVEButler – A personal move organiser to help you move, or prepare your home for sale.
• MOVECORP – Commercial moving services.

SIR is arguably a good choice because they are not only all-inclusive in terms of services offered, but they go the extra mile as well, making the move even easier. From insurance policies to getting visas and employment passes to protecting your doorways and goods, all the way down to the labelling system they utilise for you to prepare for the big move, they have got it all. They also have an experienced staff, some of whom have more than 10 years of experience under their belt.

Get a quote from them here.

Crown Relocations is another company that takes a bite out of the cream of the crops of movers. Crown Relocations have been around for more than 50 years and they are not just a moving company; they’re part of the Crown Group, which includes the Crown World Mobility, a global mobility management for corporate businesses.

They are another company with an exhaustive list of relocation services; including domestic and international relocations, pets, and they even offer cultural and language training packages.

They lay out a step-by-step process filled with information that is easy to understand and undergo:

1. Before the move,
2. During transit,
3. At destination,
4. From start to finish.

Crown also takes into consideration who you’re moving with – business partners, pets, family members or just own your own. You can get a free quote from them.

CitiMap has worked with numerous corporations to help them move. This includes Marks & Spencers, SAFRA, Harvey Norman and even the Ministry of Home Affairs. They boast cost-friendly rates and offer a variety of options including international moving and storage solutions. They even assure that every single piece of furniture moved will be shrink-wrapped, not only making the move easy but keeping your mind at ease as well.

You can request a quote here.

Lalamove is the uber of moving companies. Tech-savvy and modern, you can easily request a move 24/7 right from your phone. They are however restricted just to local moving, and delivery/courier services. They deliver to any location within Singapore, but there are surcharges for restricted locations such as Jurong Island, Aerospace zones and more.

Do note that Lalamove advises against using their service for fragile objects such as food or glassware, claiming that they are not liable any damages that might occur.

Click here for an instant quote (Note: you need to make an account or connect using Facebook for a quote). Or to get a ballpark figure of what you need, you can look at their price chart.

Vimbox Movers is another Singapore mover that offers a complete service from residential, international, and office moving services. They also offer storage and warehouse solutions, packing and unpacking services, and disposal services for your unwanted goods.

Contact them at +65 6339 4439 or reach them via email at sales@vimboxmovers.sg
You many visit their website here.

Rodex only offers interstate moves within Singapore but has a very competitive price point. Their website shows a very detailed list of what you’ll be getting for the move. It lists out the type and price of the moving vehicle down to the model, the price of moving per box, and the cost of the manpower for the move.

They’ve got their price list and free quote both available on their website.

So pick a mover, sit back and enjoy your new home!