Christmas Shopping in Orchard Road, Singapore

Took these photos before Christmas. Surprised to see lots of people during a weekday. I guess December is the time where everyone supposed to travel for holiday but due to the current covid pandemic, lots of countries closed the borders or were in lock down, so most locals who need to clear their annual leaves took this opportunity to shop for Christmas in Singapore  and be local tourists in Singapore.

The crowd in Orchard were huge as if it is pre covid period but everyone (yes , 100%) are wearing masks as it is mandatory to wear indoor or outdoors except when dining or exercise or in our own homes.

Just love the christmas atmosphere in Orchard Road with all the christmas trees and decorations.

Shopping in Paragon Orchard, and yes we need to scan our identity before entering any malls or buildings etc for contact tracing incase of a positive covid case. So far Singapore is experiencing low or zero local community cases, mostly are imported cases.

2020 is really a bad year for most of us, let's hope 2021 will be a better year and let's say bye bye to the virus.

 

Singapore Trace Together Token to be use in Singapore in 2021

Finally, I collected my Tokens after queuing for one hour. It is the latest big thing in Singapore. 

The token is a physical device that exchanges bluetooth signals with other trace together tokens or trace together mobile apps nearby,  to aid digital contact tracing efforts due to the Covid Pandemic.

The token was originally meant for people without smart phone or wifi but many would like to have the tokens as the apps might drain the phone battery. 

From next year, we need to have the tokens to be able to enter huge venues like cinema, malls, buildings, etc 

We will be entering Phase 3 on December 28, means we can now gather in groups of 8 instead of 5 but masks is still mandatory. 

Public venues such as museums are currently open but subject to a capacity limit, while events like wedding receptions can be held in two zones of 50 persons. In Phase Three, these capacity limits could be increased, with events having multiple zones of 50 persons. (Source)  

The queue at a local community club to collect the tokens.

I managed to have the latest design of the token which is slimmer and can fit into my key pouch.

My friends had the earlier design which is thicker.

 

Christmas Tree at Clarke Quay Mall

 First big christmas tree I saw this year. Christmas is coming but the festive mood is not there. Everything is tone down and so quiet. We cant even gather in big group. Maximum five people. Hopefully by year end, this will be increased to eight.

What type of masks to use to prevent Covid 19

2020 is really a scary year and it ending soon but the virus is not ending anytime. Winter is approaching for most countries. Need stock up masks to protect oneself against the Covid virus. Masks really help and also extra care required to protect ourselves such as washing our hands often without touching our eyes, nose and mouth.

Singapore is now 15 days without any local community infection. All are imported cases. We need wear masks all the time indoor or outdoor except when one is exercising or dining or in one own home.

Every few months, our government gave us free fabric masks and is good to use for 30 washes only. We need practise hygiene too and use clean masks.

 Wear the correct surgical masks when going to risky places like hospitals and crowded places. Fabric masks are good for when lesser crowds and remember to keep a distance and avoid crowds.

How to know what masks to wear. The following table might help you to choose the correct masks.

Photo from source

More information on the correct type of masks.

Let's all not give up and masks up to protect ourselves and exterminate this virus so we can get back to our normal lifestyles.

Guoco Tower (above Tanjong Pagar MRT Station) Singapore

Guoco Tower is a mixed-use development skyscraper in Tanjong Pagar of the Downtown Core district of Singapore. With a height of 290 m (950 ft), it is currently the tallest building in Singapore. 

It is well known that the penthouse at the top was purchased by Dyson Founder, James Dyson but he had since sold the penthouse.

Nice place to chill in here, lots of greenery.

I like how they placed the tables at a distance. Due to Covid, social distancing is to be observed so as masks but except when dining and exercising, masks can be excused.