Open public suggestion to Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung: Transit budget hotels at affordable rates can be a ‘home away from home’ I I applaud your efforts to exempt leisure travelers from having to serve a 14-day quarantine on arrival, and vice versa. It is sensible and is one way to bring back traffic to Changi airport (“Leisure travel green lanes can help Changi Airport regain some lost traffic amid Covid-19 outbreak, says Ong Ye Kung “, Aug 15, 2020, The Straits Times With airlines losing millions in revenue, it is timely to re-open the skies to save the aviation industry from going bankrupt and saving jobs. To ensure that COVID-19 does not make a second wave, there must still be some measures to suppress its spread. Rather that place travellers in isolation centres which will deter people from travelling, the Transport Ministry can work with the Tourism Board and the Ministry of Trade and Industry to request the transit hotels to offer affordable room rates to guests for a specific period. Some rooms can be hived-off for this purpose. The room used can ne thoroughly sanitised and spruced up after they have left. If the setting is conducive, these hotels can be like a ‘home, away from home’. COVID-19 tests can be carried out here and once cleared of any infection, the traveller can go on his/her holiday. Shopping at Jewel, other shops and dining at eateries can be allowed with temperature taking and safe distancing measures in place. Singapore, as with other countries cannot afford to be held ‘ransom’ by pandemics as the economy will take a beating and the people will suffer. Additionally, Mr Ong, we must create a conducive environment where free flow of ideas that are practical and workable be presented, and not toss it into the back-burner. For in doing so, Singaporeans who make the effort to help the government of the day, will be demotivated. With the media having the power to sway people’s thinking because of its outreach, it is vital that journalist do not overplay the COVID19 pandemic. I have read disturbing reports from the mainstream newspapers, in particular –The New Paper that often highlights the downside of the virus. Who will one to invest in Singapore or visit out country when such negativity prevails? Think about it! I trust you will give me a reply as I have taken pains to draw up this idea to you, Mr Ong. If it takes some time to give me a full answer, an interim reply should suffice. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your response, shortly. Raymond Anthony Fernando