{"id":10582,"date":"2020-05-19T13:20:53","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T05:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/?p=10582"},"modified":"2020-05-19T13:20:53","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T05:20:53","slug":"finding-a-safe-home-for-singapore-frontline-workers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/explore\/finding-a-safe-home-for-singapore-frontline-workers\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding a Safe Home for Singapore Frontline Workers"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;padding-4-percent&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#fefeff&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;10px&#8221; top_margin=&#8221;-20%&#8221; width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221;]<div class=\"divider-wrap\"><div style=\"margin-top: 5px; width: 100px; height: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px;\" data-width=\"100\" data-animate=\"yes\" data-animation-delay=\"\" data-color=\"accent-color\" class=\"divider-small-border\"><\/div><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Finding a Safe Home for Singapore Frontline Workers&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589862866341{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Properties offered by Safe Home Programme will be heavily discounted to ensure these workers have a sense of home during these troubled times.&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589862968573{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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 &#8211; sacrificing their time and health, giving their 100%.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, the worst is something we least expected amidst this Covid-19 pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.sg\/mexico-rumors-that-health-workers-spread-covid-19-lead-to-violence-2020-5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">nurses getting strangled to death in Mexico<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/2020\/04\/attacked-underpaid-filippino-nurses-battle-virus-200402010303902.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">healthcare workers getting hit in the face with bleach in Philippines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">,to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Anurag_Dwary\/status\/1245546299002204161\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">stones hurled at health officials in India<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">,these are just a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">few <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of the many cases reported around the world. According to the WHO, there are already 35 cases of such attacks across 11 countries.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap \" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-border-radius=\"none\"><div class=\"inner\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-shadow-direction=\"middle\" class=\"img-with-animation \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"883\" width=\"1280\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/safe_home_serviced_apartments_singapore_image_1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/safe_home_serviced_apartments_singapore_image_1.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/safe_home_serviced_apartments_singapore_image_1-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/safe_home_serviced_apartments_singapore_image_1-768x530.jpg 768w, https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/safe_home_serviced_apartments_singapore_image_1-1024x706.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589865283572{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The situation in Singapore is the same too; nurses have been reported to be ostracized as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mothership.sg\/2020\/02\/nurses-mrt-uniform-wuhan-virus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">early as February<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in MRTs and public places.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.todayonline.com\/singapore\/covid-19-sharp-decline-volunteers-healthserve-largest-non-profit-clinic-spore-serves\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">several charity organisations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and NGOs, if this continues, we\u2019ll see much fewer professionals in the already manpower-starved healthcare industry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/info.metroresidences.com\/safehomeprogramme\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><strong>Are you a frontline worker in search of discounted accommodation? Click here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sadly, this isn\u2019t\u00a0 unique to the Covid-19 situation. In 2019, there were <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2019\/11\/28\/783582331\/it-was-unmistakably-a-directed-attack-4-ebola-workers-killed-in-congo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4 Ebola workers who were killed in Congo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and similar anecdotes from the SARS epidemic in 2002.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph ng-attr-widget\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, there is a way to help. As nations globally enforce quarantine\/lock-down measures, the travel industry is directly affected &#8211; 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.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863077065{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]\n<h4><b>Introducing our Safe Home Programme<\/b><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap \" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-border-radius=\"none\"><div class=\"inner\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-shadow-direction=\"middle\" class=\"img-with-animation \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"800\" width=\"1280\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/safe_home_serviced_apartments_singapore_image_2.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/safe_home_serviced_apartments_singapore_image_2.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/safe_home_serviced_apartments_singapore_image_2-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/safe_home_serviced_apartments_singapore_image_2-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/safe_home_serviced_apartments_singapore_image_2-1024x640.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863106829{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We, at MetroResidneces, are taking our serviced apartments and making them a home for our frontline workers.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Properties offered by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/info.metroresidences.com\/safehomeprogramme\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Safe Home Programme<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 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.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863119625{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.&#8221;<br \/>\n&#8211; James Chua, CEO, MetroResidences<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863177065{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]\n<h4><b>Protecting healthcare workers\u2019 immediate families<\/b><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863210093{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Though precautions are taken, including proper use and wear of personal protective equipment (PPE), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/health\/at-least-8-cases-of-virus-among-staff-at-public-healthcare-institutions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">infections still happen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Similar to circuit breaker measures, we must isolate people of high risk from the larger community, reducing intra-community spread of the virus.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863261961{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]\n<h4><b>Fully furnished and flexible places of stay<\/b><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=&#8221;nectarslider_style&#8221; images=&#8221;10587,10588,10589,10590&#8243; bullet_navigation_style=&#8221;see_through&#8221; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; custom_links_target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; custom_links=&#8221;https:\/\/metroresidences.com\/sg\/serviced-apartments\/river-valley\/b4869&#8243;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863284517{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This cuts down travel time between work and \u2018home\u2019, reducing the risk of transmission along their journey of commute.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Most apartments come fully furnished too &#8211; wifi, air-conditioning, washing machines &#8211; providing them a comfortable and luxurious place to stay.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863299945{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]\n<h4><b>Feasible solution for long term stay<\/b><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=&#8221;nectarslider_style&#8221; images=&#8221;10591,10592,10593&#8243; bullet_navigation_style=&#8221;see_through&#8221; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; custom_links_target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; custom_links=&#8221;https:\/\/metroresidences.com\/sg\/serviced-apartments\/river-valley\/b4871&#8243;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863353277{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kitchens and dining areas have becoming a must for modern day living, however not always available in private accommodation options like hotel rooms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>This way, when nurses are not on their shifts, they are able to \u2018stay home\u2019 too, in the comfort and safety of their apartments &#8211; also ensuring the safety of their family members and loved ones.<br \/>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863379939{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]\n<h4><b>Sustainable alternative for quarantine measures<\/b><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=&#8221;nectarslider_style&#8221; images=&#8221;10594,10595,10596&#8243; bullet_navigation_style=&#8221;see_through&#8221; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; custom_links_target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; custom_links=&#8221;https:\/\/metroresidences.com\/sg\/serviced-apartments\/redhill\/3975&#8243;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863438503{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In Singapore, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=cruise+ship+forein&amp;oq=cruise+ship+forein&amp;aqs=chrome..69i57j33.3970j0j4&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">foreign workers who have recovered from the virus have been housed on SuperStar cruise ships<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, more space is still needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not only for infected and recovering patients but also professionals (medical experts, for example) arriving in Singapore to assist or consult healthcare bodies &#8211; are required to be quarantined for at least 2 weeks. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/asia\/se-asia\/chinese-anti-covid-19-medical-team-arrives-in-malaysia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">China sent their medical experts to Malaysia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-health-coronavirus-honduras\/cuba-will-send-medical-team-to-honduras-to-fight-the-coronavirus-health-minister-idUSKBN21Z074\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cuban medical teams to Honduras<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and even experts <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.xinhuanet.com\/english\/2020-03\/17\/c_138888538.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">moving between states in countries around the world<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Even after they complete their stay-home notice, will still able to stay in the same residence until they leave the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">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 &#8211; at the same time, bringing out the best in all of us.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863476971{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]\n<h4><b>To learn more about\u2026<\/b><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1589863491240{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check out the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/info.metroresidences.com\/safehomeprogramme\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Safe Home Programme here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and find out how you or someone you know, can find a safe space to rest while leading the lines in fighting this coronavirus. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_widget_sidebar enable_sticky=&#8221;true&#8221; sidebar_id=&#8221;blog-sidebar&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;padding-4-percent&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#fefeff&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;10px&#8221; top_margin=&#8221;-20%&#8221; width=&#8221;5\/6&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Finding a Safe Home for Singapore Frontline Workers&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|text_align:left&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":10586,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,2,3,5,7,11,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-essential-services","category-everyday-living","category-explore","category-housing","category-long-term-rentals","category-serviced-apartments","category-work"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10582","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10582"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10582\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10601,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10582\/revisions\/10601"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10586"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10582"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10582"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10582"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}