Practical Information
Posted on 9 Nov 2009
Last modified on 30 May 2010
Visa Waiver
Nationals of a large number of countries, among which is Spain, do not require a visa because when they arrived they get their passport stamped with a social visit pass of 30 days if arriving by air and 14 if they come overland from Malaysia. The list of exempted countries include Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, the United States and most European Union members. All other countries must obtain visas from the consulate of destination, being impossible to obtain it on arrival. They could also apply for 90 days permission .
Climate
Singapore has an equatorial climate characterized by a low annual temperature range, a high humidity and high rainfall. The maximum temperatures are usually situated between 31 º - 32 º C and minimums between 23 º - 24 º C, but could easily reach 36 º C and lower temperatures to 19 º C. The average relative humidity is usually set at 84% while during the monsoon rains arrive to 100%. The annual medial rainfall is 2.300mm. Due to the rain shadow effect the east of the island is drier and exposed to higher temperatures than the west.
There are two distinct monsoon seasons. The northwest monsoon or wet season runs from December to early March. Often characterized by strong wind gusts up to 20 km/h and frequent rainfall that occurs in the evenings, sometimes keep the rain for several days. The southwest monsoon lasts from February to September is usually more moderate, with rain dispersed at noon. Maximum precipitation occur from December to April, while from February to July is the driest time.
Due to the high temperatures raincoats are rarely wear, although it is advisable to have a couple of umbrellas to always have one handy, not only for the frequent rains, but for sun protection. In most offices and shopping centers plastic bags are available to keep the umbrella when entering the building. Sometimes the intensity of rainfall makes motorists driving difficult due to a loss of visibility. In the case of automobiles, the use of headlights is highly recommended.
Official Languages
Singapore has four official languages: English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and Tamil. While Malay is the national language, which appears in the arms and the anthem, English is the language of communication between different ethnic groups. It is possible that more elderly residents do not understand English and even have difficulty understanding Mandarin, because the Hokkien dialect was really from the island. Virtually all citizens aged below 40 years are able to converse in English. All road signs are in English and public announcements are made both in the language of Shakespeare and in Confucius, though in many cases, could be done in the four official idioms. English is the official language of administration and business, as well as the first language of education in most primary schools, so that bilingualism is required: in addition to English, students would study Mandarin, Malay or Tamil at school.
The strange mixture of English and Mandarin called “Singlish”, a true language of communication in the country, in which grammatical and lexical incorreciones appears in both languages, has led the government to promote the correct use of English (Speak Good English Campaign) and since 1979, the campaign “Speak Mandarin” with the aim of standardizing the use of Chinese in the island off the different dialects of the language Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien ... that were used and still are used in the city-state, with the increase of Chinese Singaporeans who use English not only at work but at home with his family.
Schedules
Singapore is eight hours ahead of Universal Coordinated Time, formerly known as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). This schedule was maintained throughout the year, the absence of significant differences in the number of hours of sunshine does not need to change the time to save electricity.
Working week is in general from Monday to Friday, although more traditional companies (around 50%) extend their hours in Saturday morning. Sunday is the official day of rest for everyone, although there is no law or religious about it. Because Sunday is the day off of Singaporeans is just the perfect occasion to eat out at restaurants or go shopping, since most shops are open every Sunday. On Monday, however, it is possible that most of these establishments close to compensate the Sunday opening. The ministries and public services are open on Saturday mornings, as their staff take turns to serve the public on these occasions.
The official workday is eight hours with an hour for lunch, but make one or two extra hours a day is considered normal. Government offices open from 8-17, while the company starts its activity between 8 and 9 in the morning. The shops and in particular, supermarkets and shopping centers are open from 10 to 21:30, although many malls in Orchard remain open until 10 or 11 at night. Banks usually open between 8.30 and 9.30 and close between 15:30 and 16:30 although many are not only open until 20 hours, but also open on Saturdays and Sunday mornings. The embassies operate from 8.30-9.30 until 16.30-17.30, while the times to deliver or collect documents are often much more restricted.
Lunch is usually eaten between 12 and 14 hours, while dinner would be held in around 19 hours in the case of the Chinese and Malays and 21 hours in the Indian. Anyway, there are many restaurants that remains open until 23 hours, many bars that offer food until 4 am and even fast food establishments open 24 hours.
Transport
Singapore is probably one of the most expensive countries in the world to buy a car due to government policy aimed to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and traffic jams. The result is that most of the population travels on public transport, that many describe as one of the best in the world. The punctuality of the buses, the modernity of the metro (MRT) in continuous expansion, and the efficiency of the taxis are testament to the excellence of the public transport in Singapore for its comfort and its competitive prices . Many Singaporeans tend to use the combination of bus and subway to get around. In any case, the use of a taxi would be cheaper than driving a car.
While motorcycles can be a competitive alternative to the automobile, the high rate of motorcycle accidents that occur, discourages their use except for those motorists more professional. Cyclists will be in difficult situations in the asphalt due to the low regard for them by motorists and drivers. However, it is possible to use the bike provided it is done with caution. You can walk the streets due to the presence of sidewalks, subways and elevated throughout the island, although the high temperatures and, especially, high humidity (over 90%) make most of the Singaporeans to avoid walking long distances around the city.
They are five major freeways that facilitate traffic circulation around the island: Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) Central Expressway (CTE), East Coast Parkway (ECP) Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) and Tampines Expressway (TPE). The traffic system is well planned and the improvements are constant with the construction of flyovers, widening of roads and traffic management through the payment system access at peak hours called ERP: Electronic Road Pricing. Singapore is expanding the metro (MRT) and the light metro(LRT) to make it closer more and more population centers throughout the island.
Vaccination
The really only vaccine required to enter Singapore is the yellow fever if you have been in the last six days in a country where this disease is endemic. However vaccination is recommended for Hepatitis A and B, for the frequency on the island. While in Singapore cases of malaria are rare, the same can not be said of the nearby islands of Bintan and Batam in Indonesia, a popular destination for residents in Singapore. A few years ago there was an outbreak of dengue so, although there is no vaccine, beware of mosquitoes in tropical forest areas.
Insurance
Due to the fact that all residents in Singapore have to pay for medical services is vital that both locals and foreigners have health insurance. If you are working in Singapore may be at the expense of your employer, even if you are only visiting you should take out insurance in your country of origin. Please note that most policies do not cover the practice of extreme sports, so carefully read the fine print before signing.
Customs
The government tightly controls their customs to the extent that certain offenses have death sentences as in the case of drug trafficking in narcotics. There is a fine for the entry with more cigarettes than allowed, books, cds and dvds pirated and leaving the country by road to Malaysia with the shell of the car below 50%. It is forbidden to bring chewing gum, imitation guns, fireworks, pornographic materials or materials that can be classified as sedition or treason against the nation. It is also prohibited the importation of flora and/or endangered fauna. In the case of food, the limit for beef, chicken, fish or seafood is 5 kg. for own consumption, only from some countries in the world and provided the relevant import license. Prescription must be provided in the case of some medicines such as stimulants and sleeping pills.
Emergency
Police: Emergency services in Singapore are known for its efficiency and command of English of all professionals receiving calls. The Singapore Police Corps prides itself on being a cop with a heart, which means that their service is polite, helpful and sincere in its mission to care for and protect the citizen. This closeness does not mean a weak body, but rather the opposite. His powers allow him to act without hesitation and forcefully as necessary. Small offenses are taken seriously by the authorities. Police will not tolerate any disrespect, bribe them not only not work but you will be charged with this crime.There are two police forces: the proximity and traffic. In the first case his uniform is navy blue, whereas in the second case is white and blue. Both used cars and motorcycles and unmarked vehicles for official missions. Although gun violence is rare in Singapore, the police are equipped with weapons. Call 999 to contact the police.
Hospitals: The Singaporeans hospitals are excellent in relation to global standards, are equipped with the latest technical innovations and their staff is highly qualified. For emergencies that are not life threatening, go to the emergency section “Accident & Emergency Ward” of any hospital. You are asked to be identified by an official document at the time and pay by credit card or cash. Most foreign insurance (some do have Spanish native partners) are not recognized so you should proceed with payment and insurance company will give you back the amount duly justified by invoices. For emergency and to call an ambulance call 995 and they will take you to the nearest hospiral.
For Expatriates the price difference between private and government hospitals is so small that the vast majority opt for private healthcare. Remember that any hospital will require the card before the medical examination except in cases of genuine emergency in which the priority is to treat the wound, stabilize the patient and then find a way to pay the treatment received. In case you do not have any insurance or do not cover certain conditions, you could be required to pay in cash. Rarely will not be charged for services unless your situation is truly precarious. Postoperative treatment will depend largely on what you can afford.
Car Accidents: In case someone suffers a car accident, the first thing to do is call the police at 999 to come to inspect the scene. The security guard will call an ambulance if this is necessary. If you want to inform the insurance you should send the police report within 24 hours from the BAP.
Lost: If you lose something in a hotel or mall please report at the information desk. If you lose the bag, you are likely to recover everything except your cash and your mobile phone. If it has happened in a store, it would be worth returning to the place because the staff may have saved him. If the loss has occurred in a public transport call the number of the bus companies in case a driver or security personnel from the stationhe had found it. For taxis call the company concerned and in the metro (MRT) call 1800 336 8900. Finally, in case of loss of objects on the street, report back to the nearest police station because it is very likely to recover it. This is the procedure to follow if you believe there have been a robbery. Only call 999 for an emergency or a robbery. If you lose your phone call as soon as possible to your company.
Lost passport: Go to the Consulate (in the Spanish case 7 Temasek Boulevard. Suntec City Tower One # 39-00. Singapore 038 987) to report the loss or theft of it and get one again. It is always advisable to keep in a safe place a copy of your passport and keep on hand the telephone numbers of the companies issuing credit cards if you need to cancel them in case of loss or theft.
Exit Singapore
The immigration process is simple and transparent, it is enough to present a passport with the white paper with an entry stamp in the country.You need to bring the credit card with which you purchased the electronic ticket in case they requested to you at the desk.