ABOUT 230 people have served their quarantine orders at designated centres so far, with most at Aloha Loyang.

As of Saturday, there were still 16 people in Aloha Loyang, a cluster of 38 airconditioned chalets.

On its website, it is touted as a beach and garden resort with 'vibrancy and a relaxed atmosphere'. This all changed in early May when the Government started issuing home quarantine orders to those who had come in contact with people infected with the H1N1 flu.

The resort transformed into a quarantine centre to house foreigners or those whose homes were deemed unsuitable for quarantine. Recently, two more resorts in Pasir Ris were also converted to this end.

Based on interviews with 11 Aloha Loyang residents, some felt life could be better but others emerged from the fenced-up compound with more pleasant memories.

While they were at a place landscaped with gardens, a giant fun pool and jacuzzi, they said they stayed mostly in their rooms to observe infection-control procedures and minimise contact with others quarantined.

If they needed to come out of their assigned rooms, they were advised to don a mask and keep a distance of 2m from others.

'It's difficult having my freedom taken away. I can surf the Net, watch CNA and read the papers for a week but how can I expect my daughter to do that? ' said Mr Brian Moore, who has a six-year-old daughter.

The lawyer from America was served a quarantine order after his three-year-old son was tested positive for the flu on June 20. His wife and two kids shared a flight with three Singaporean kids who had fever and flu symptoms.

He felt that the quality of the food at Aloha was poor, living conditions unhygienic and that there was poor service at the centre.

Read the full report in The Sunday Times.