TODAY reported this week that less than half of the adult population has redeemed their SingapoRediscovers Vouchers (SRV), with about two months to go before their expiry on Dec 31. In response, many TODAY readers said that the expiry date should be extended for another six months or a year given the current Covid-19 situation and the prevailing restrictions. Other readers suggest that families be allowed to combine the vouchers within a certain limit or that the use of the vouchers be expanded to also cover eateries or even grocery vouchers. Some readers also call on Singaporeans to donate their unused vouchers to the needy.

The redemption process is too tedious and tenuous. That's a big disincentive. CHAN C L

Chan C L, it took me about five minutes to book a hotel stay with the vouchers. This merely shows that half the country is lazy or not interested. The Government gives free stuff, but people don’t want to take them because they claim it is "too difficult to do", "I don’t how" or it is "not good enough". MELMINT WO

I think non-Singaporeans like myself, such as expatriates, would use the voucher more than citizens. So why not give the vouchers to non-citizens too? RISA MORISHITA

Thanks to SRV, I helped my whole family enjoy the Gardens by the Bay, River Safari, a Boat Quay River cruise tour, and iFly. These are activities I probably won't pay for entirely if not for these vouchers. It took me 15 minutes of reading instructions on how to redeem them, but honestly, it is not that difficult. My mum went to the community club to get her tour booked too. The Government gives money, people also complain. Is it so hard to just make do with the circumstances and help yourself a bit? EZEN HO

From my experience, it wasn't hard (to redeem) either, but it wasn't easy. To be honest, if it wasn't for my family, I wouldn't have found it worth my time to deal with the portal. The deals aren't amazing either, so add together a tedious process and there being barely much benefit, you'll see the issue. AUGUSTINE HUANG KEWEI

Please continue to extend the expiry. It would help the tourism related sector till more tourists arrive. TAY YONG HONG

Allow the SRV to be used to redeem grocery vouchers or food vouchers to be used in hawker centres and food courts. CATHY PANG

Convert to NTUC vouchers for the elderly to buy things and groceries at home please. They don’t want to go out because our Covid-19 situation is unpredictable. KAT ONG

There are also many things to be worried about when you take younger children for outings, from eating out to public transportation. I don’t think SRVs are useful at this point. Can it be converted to cash vouchers for groceries instead? ARI LIGER PAWS

Consider allowing vouchers to be combined for those with familial ties. The authorities can set a reasonable limit on the amount per transaction for such a combination. MOHAMAD SYAHID ARIF

Extend the vouchers till December 2022. It’s not practical to use them now with all the restrictions. DEEN DEEN

Please extend. With the recent uptick in Covid-19 cases, we are trying not to go out too much as we have elderly relatives at home. MARY ALICIEN

I think that among those who don't wish to redeem them, most have the same mentality as me. We need to fork out more cash in order to use the vouchers. I understand the purpose but it’s not worth it. JASMINE LIM

Jasmine Lim, this is the economic reason behind this voucher: To encourage domestic spending/consumption and to have a multiplier effect on the economy. If this voucher is given out as cash, people will save the money (like yourself) in the bank. There will be no economic benefits. DANIS LIM

There is an option to donate to charity. Very straightforward. Just give it to someone else if you have so many reasons not to redeem them. AH KENG LIM

Unpopular opinion: I think those who found the redemption process difficult probably don't deserve to enjoy the rewards. It's not even that difficult in the first place. There's even booths in malls to help you redeem them if you bother to look. Embarrassing. E’ZZATI CHAN SAID

Maybe let people combine their vouchers? It'll certainly help couples/families take the dive with greater defraying power. ARAVIND MENON

Seeing the number of daily inflected cases… I doubt now is the right timing to go out and celebrate with the SRVs. If possible, I would rather donate them to our healthcare heroes. LEE JOHN

Since the vaccinated travel lane has started and tourism is opening up, it makes more sense to extend it to F&B or entertainment outlets or even theatres and cinemas. TONY GKH

Please extend the vouchers maybe for another six months. My whole family has not used the vouchers at all. We just want Singapore to be back to normal to enjoy our staycation. ARISSA SWEETIE’S

If you want the public to use the vouchers...there should not be a deadline. MOHAMAD SAZALI

Extend them for another year or allow them to be used at NTUC supermarkets. UMMI RAMLI

How to redeem the vouchers when it’s still only a limit on group sizes of two people? How to enjoy them with family and friends? Extend the vouchers and we can use them when Singapore finally opens up. SHANE HUSSAIN

These comments were first posted to TODAY’s Facebook page. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length. 

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