Some Sentosa attractions to reopen with COVID-19 safety measures

Staff Writer
·Editorial team
Updated ·3 min read
A posed photo of a Universal Studios Singapore employee checking the temperature of a guest with a thermometer. Resorts World Singapore attractions on Sentosa, including Universal Studios Singapore and the S.E.A. Aquarium, will reopen in Phase 2 of Singapore's reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: RWS)
A posed photo of a Universal Studios Singapore employee checking the temperature of a guest with a thermometer. Resorts World Singapore attractions on Sentosa, including Universal Studios Singapore and the S.E.A. Aquarium, will reopen in Phase 2 of Singapore's reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: RWS)

SINGAPORE — Some attractions at Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) will reopen this week with precautionary measures after being closed as part of COVID-19 restrictions.

RWS said the Universal Studios Singapore (USS) theme park and its casino on Sentosa will reopen on Wednesday (1 July), while the S.E.A. Aquarium will reopen on Saturday.

In a press release on Sunday, RWS said, “With Singapore in Phase Two of reopening, our priority is to welcome back guests to our resort in a manner that puts health and safety at the centre of all the experiences that we have created. Even before Circuit Breaker, we adapted to the changing environment very quickly and obtained SG Clean accreditation, with many cleaning and disinfection protocols of the highest standards.”

Other attractions in RWS will remain closed for now, including Dolphin Island and Adventure Cove Waterpark.

Both USS and the aquarium will open for only four days of the week in a staggered manner, with limited operating hours.

A posed photo of Universal Studios Singapore guests queueing for a ride with safe distancing of one-metre spacings. Resorts World Singapore attractions on Sentosa, including Universal Studios Singapore and the S.E.A. Aquarium, will reopen in Phase 2 of Singapore's reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: RWS)
A posed photo of Universal Studios Singapore guests queueing for a ride with safe distancing of one-metre spacings. (Photo: RWS)

After the Wednesday opening, USS will open from Thursdays to Sundays, from 2pm to 9pm. It will be closed from Mondays to Wednesdays.

The S.E.A. Aquarium will open from Saturdays to Tuesdays, from 10am to 5pm. It will be closed from Wednesdays to Fridays.

During this initial phase of reopening, onsite ticket purchases will not be available. All guests, including Annual and Season Pass Holders, are required to make online reservations in advance and book their date of visit prior to visiting the park.

Guests will be required to observe safe distancing measures and wear masks. Safety measures include one-metre spacing if there are queues, and alternate row seating for all rides, with family or groups occupying the same row. Hand sanitisers will be widely available on the premises.

Until further notice, shows and street entertainment will not be available at USS. Shows, public feeding sessions and character meet-and-greets will not be available at the aquarium.

A posed photo of a Universal Studios Singapore employee cleaning an entry gate. Resorts World Singapore attractions on Sentosa, including Universal Studios Singapore and the S.E.A. Aquarium, will reopen in Phase 2 of Singapore's reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: RWS)
A Universal Studios Singapore employee cleaning an entry gate. (Photo: RWS)

Guests will be required to check-in and out of the attractions using the SafeEntry system that facilitates contact tracing. At the point of entry, guests will also be screened for their temperature using thermal scanners.

There will be intensive and frequent cleaning and disinfection of all high-touch points, including application of antimicrobial coatings. All rides will be wiped down after every use, and all 3D glasses will be disinfected after every use.

The casino will operate at a reduced capacity, and admission, for the time being, will be limited to only existing Genting Rewards members or Annual Levy Holders.

RWS worked with medical experts to introduce new safety features at the casino. For example, rigorous measures were adopted to provide as much fresh air circulation as possible to maintain optimal air quality that exceeds commercial facilities’ standards. Other measures include mandatory face masks, limiting the number of players per gaming table, and antimicrobial-coated acrylic safety shields installed at all gaming tables and gaming machines for the protection of guests and dealers.

Entertainment and tourism businesses have suffered since the implementation of movement restrictions to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Kidzania, a popular children’s theme park on Sentosa that employed more than 100 workers, said earlier this month that it was closing after four years of operation.

Besides tourism and entertainment, various sectors of the economy, including retail, food and beverage, travel, and transport were also hit hard by the pandemic due to lockdown rules.