Moving Abroad During COVID [Part 2 - Singapore]

Ahhh there are so many things I wanna share with you.

To start with the Covid issues, we arrived in Singapore with the unvaccinated status. As the differentiated measures were too strict (cannot enter malls and attractions, cannot dine in) for the unvaccinated, the first thing we did as soon as we completed our 2 weeks quarantine was get a jab. By Sep 2021, walk-ins were allowed and the process was so smooth.  From the time we stepped in for registration till we got out after observation, the entire procedure took around 45 minutes. We both got Pfizer for the first two doses and are thinking of getting Moderna for the booster.

Singapore is very strict about you checking in everywhere with the Trace Together app. By Oct 2021, the officials were even checking your vaccination status, upon entering shopping malls and attractions. There are always safe distancing ambassadors walking around, to ensure everyone was wearing face masks. Popular attractions like beaches in Sentosa require advanced booking on public holidays and weekends. We had to meet with friends and family in several small groups as group size limit were strictly enforced. For example, each household can host up to 5 unique visitors a day. So if you are visiting from a place where these measures are not strictly enforced, this may be a cultural shock for you though.

Other than all these Covid-related rules, everything else was quite easy for both of us since we both spent over a decade in Singapore before. We still have our bank accounts, SIM cards, EZ link travel cards. After 2 weeks quarantining at the Orchard Hotel, we moved to the serviced apartment for a month while waiting for our 2 doses of vaccine to be effective. We then moved in with Mister's mom for two and a half months.  As such, we didn't have to find long term rental place or buy furnitures. We loved visiting awesome parks Singapore has to offer and eating all the delicious food (although they are quite pricey compared to Myanmar). The biggest hurdle was packing, moving, and unpacking our 120kg stuff for a total of three times during these four months! (Myanmar to Singapore Q hotel, then to serviced apartment and finally to Mister's mom house)

The biggest change for us, however, was the feeling of safety and security.  I am not talking about the typical safety tourists talk about when they visit Singapore (such as, not needing to worry about pickpockets). 

Since the military staged a coup in Myanmar on 1 Feb 2021, we didn't feel safe. We were living with 8pm curfew for months. Just to be on the safe side, it was best to be home by 7pm when the sun sets. Even then, there was a constant fear of soldiers raiding your home in the middle of the night. They could be banging on your door any time without warning. There were several checkpoints across the whole country (even in a city centre of Yangon), checking your car, motorbike and phones, while traumatising children aboard with the experience. You could be thinking there is no need to be scared if you are not hiding anything. Well, with these soldiers, it's 'Shoot First, Talk Later'. If they think you 'appear' suspicious, they will just shoot first without asking questions or getting evidence. Think about it, they are doing all these without warrants. Even in a big city like Yangon. In broad daylight. 

On top of all these, we were living with 100% mobile data cut for almost 2 months. If you are in a difficult situation, it will be good to be able to take photos / videos / voice recordings and send to a trusted friend for evidence. Without mobile data, how can we do that? All the photos and videos taken could be deleted when the phones are confiscated. There were also discussions on how sms and phone calls were being tapped. Can you imagine how exposed and vulnerable we felt? Everyone deserves privacy with our homes, cars, phones and laptops (except when there is a legit warrant issued). Home is our sanctuary. How can we not feel safe sleeping in our own home?

So yes, the biggest thing I appreciate about moving to Singapore (despite all the logistic nightmare) was that sense of safety. I can go out at midnight for supper at McDonalds. Nobody could question me and investigate my phone, or worse shoot me. I can go into the police station to ask for help and I will not be treated like a suspicious enemy. We were extremely devastated to have left our home but at the same time, I needed this normalcy to remind myself that we all deserve this sense of security. It is wrong for any institution to rob us of our life.

Of course, whatever I felt was minuscule compared to those who were arrested and tortured as well as those who lost their loved ones in this fight. I understand we are privileged to be able to get out. There were millions others who were less fortunate, so I couldn't help but feel guilty at the same time. With Covid experience thrown in, 2021 was tough for me physically, mentally, emotionally. We were wound awfully tight that we could have snapped with any little trigger so truly, we are grateful for this short break. Thank you, Singapore.

Adios! 

xoxo 

Miss N