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SINGAPORE – Concerns about the risk of transmission of Covid-19 to passengers by the Singapore Airlines administrator who worked as Grab’s driver are valid, but the use of masks and other precautions taken, as well as the robust tracking system of contacts here will mitigate the likelihood of forming a cluster.
Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the National University of Singapore (NUS) Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said that while there is an increased risk of infection for passengers picked up by Grab’s infected driver, tracking Contacts and isolation of those exposed will limit an extension.
“There will always be incidents of this type in the future, and that is exactly why everyone in the community must remain vigilant, and our testing and contact tracing efforts cannot cease,” he said.
The 48-year-old butler was detected through proactive testing organized by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) for aircrew who had returned from overseas flights.
He had traveled to the United States for work from December 12-16. After his return, he worked part-time as a driver for Grab from December 17-24.
The man was examined on December 23 and the results were released as inconclusive on December 25. A second test on December 25 was also inconclusive.
He stayed home until December 27, when it was confirmed that he was infected.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Wednesday (December 30) said that passengers who took the Grab trip are being tracked through contact tracing.
He added that any passenger deemed to be close contact with the man will need to be quarantined.
Private transportation company Grab, which supports contact tracing efforts, said the man had been temporarily suspended from its platform as a security measure.
Associate Professor Alex Cook, vice dean for research at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said the situation is “definitely a concern.”
“It’s hard to imagine a worse possible situation than having someone potentially exposed to viruses abroad, being able to avoid quarantine and coming into contact with a large number of people in a closed environment such as a private rental car,” he added.
But he noticed that Grab had taken precautions like wearing a mask. Passengers also cannot sit in the front seat, where the drops are more likely to spread.
Professor Cook said that the company can also identify the passengers who traveled in the particular vehicle during that week.
However, given the proximity of the driver and passengers in a car, there is an increased risk of infection, said Professor Teo.
“The decision to quarantine the affected passengers is the correct one, and the Grab platform will facilitate the contact tracing process to identify all affected passengers.”
He said that while there is a small risk of a community group developing, if one passenger is infected and transmits the virus to others on their social network, contact tracing will be able to identify the rest and they will also be isolated.
Dr. Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious disease expert at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, said the incident suggests that safe measures for those working overseas, such as Singapore Airlines crew, may not be enough.
He presented options for more measures to be introduced for the aircrew: implement a 14-day stay-at-home notice period, although it would affect the airline’s ability to operate; more frequent Covid-19 tests; or mandatory vaccination.
The CAAS announced last Wednesday that it was strengthening measures to ensure the safety and well-being of aircrew and to safeguard public health in Singapore.
It came after two SIA staff members, a pilot and the administrator who worked as a part-time Grab driver, tested positive for the virus.
The airline crew here had been exempt from stay-at-home advisories since March, provided precautions were taken to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus.
CAAS also said those calling at high-risk destinations will be required to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing upon arrival and on the third and seventh days after their return to Singapore.
As for public transport passengers, including those who take advantage of transport services, Professor Teo said that masks must be kept on at all times.
This is especially important in taxis and private rental vehicles. It is also good practice to disinfect your hands before and after the trip on any public transport, not only in taxis or private rental vehicles, but also on buses and MRT trains.
“All of these habits are aimed at reducing the risks of infection,” he added.
A passenger of the SIA delegate on December 23 wrote to ST on Tuesday, expressing concern that the delegate would be allowed to drive the private rental car immediately after returning from abroad.
“More bans should also be implemented on flight crews with recent travel history of being private drivers,” said the man, who did not want to be named.
He was quarantined on Monday and has so far tested negative for Covid-19.
“Grab should also monitor all of its drivers to make sure they have no travel history for the past 21 days,” he added.
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