Singapore testing ‘ bubble’ business hotel

Singapore has been testing out a “bubble” business hotel that will allow quarantined executives arriving in the country to do face- to- face meetings and even exchange documents without fear of spreading the coronavirus.

The bubble has been set up in an expo venue near the citystate’s Changi airport and features separate air ducts for visitors and guests, plus dozens of conference rooms with screens dividing those in quarantine with other attendees, who communicate via a speaker.

It also has a special compartment through which documents and other items can be safely passed from one side of the room to the other, through a UV light that sanitizes the contents.

“It wasn’t long before we realized that the pandemic was likely to have a really long tail, and possibly lasting for years, so therefore it was a problem looking for solutions,” said Robin Hu of state investment firm Temasek, which came up with the idea. When it opens in March, the facility can accommodate 150 guests and offer 40 meeting rooms. It aims to raise that to 660 guest rooms and 170 meeting rooms by May.

Rooms cost at least S$ 384 per night ($ 290). Guests will be required to commit to five swab tests: one in the departure country, one on arrival and three during quarantine.