[ad_1]
SINGAPORE: The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said on Wednesday (December 30) that it will further toughen COVID-19 measures for the aircrew of Singaporean carriers with immediate effect.
“This is due to the increased risk of COVID-19 infection abroad given the resurgence observed in various parts of the world,” CAAS said, adding that the measure also follows recent COVID-19 cases involving an administrator. Singapore Airlines (SIA). and a pilot.
READ: Singapore reports 27 new COVID-19 cases, including SIA pilot that initially tested negative
Aircrew calling at “high-risk destinations” will have to undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing three times: upon arrival in Singapore and on the third and seventh days after their return.
The crew will also need to isolate themselves until they receive a negative result from their 7th-day PCR test, CAAS said.
In addition, stopover aircrews will need to further minimize their contact with locals when abroad.
“For example, food delivered through room service should be left out of the room at the door rather than delivered,” CAAS said.
Effective immediately, crew traveling to and from South Africa will also wear full personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 masks, face shields, protective gowns and gloves.
These requirements have already been in place for crew traveling to and from the UK since December 24, CAAS noted.
South Africa and the United Kingdom have recently reported cases infected with variants of the coronavirus that are potentially more contagious.
PASSENGERS SERVED BY SIA STEWARD TEST NEGATIVE
A SIA delegate who recently tested positive for COVID-19 last worked at SQ24 in New York on December 12 and returned to Singapore at SQ23 on December 16.
He tested positive for COVID-19 on December 27.
READ: Singapore Airlines steward who traveled to the US Classified as locally transmitted COVID-19 case
“CAAS’s preliminary investigation showed that the cabin crew had adhered to mandatory measures during the flight and stopovers, including wearing a mask, minimizing contact with passengers and locals, and staying in their hotel room throughout moment, “the agency said.
“During the layover in New York, he interacted with the hotel’s immigration officer and registration staff and collected his food from a hotel staff who delivered it to his room.”
All the crew members and the 16 passengers who were seated in the cabin section of the aircraft served by him in SQ23 tested negative for COVID-19, CAAS said.
His identified close contacts have been quarantined, while contact tracing continues.
READ: 2 more COVID-19 cases ‘preliminarily positive’ for new UK strain, including SIA pilot
SIA PILOT HAD NO CONTACT WITH PASSENGERS
The SIA pilot who also tested positive for COVID-19 last worked on SQ322 in London on December 19 and returned to Singapore on SQ317 on December 22.
He tested positive for COVID-19 on December 29. It also preliminarily tested positive for the potentially most contagious strain B117 circulating in the UK, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Wednesday.
All of the man’s identified close contacts have been quarantined.
A preliminary investigation showed that the pilot had also adhered to the mandatory flight and stopover measures, CAAS said.
He had no contact with the passengers on board the flight.
“During the stopover in London, he interacted with the hotel’s immigration officer and registration staff, and also collected his food from a hotel staff who delivered it to his room,” added CAAS.
CREW ‘WRAPPED IN BUBBLES’ ABROAD
The stricter measures are in addition to those already implemented in consultation with the Health Ministry, including minimizing interactions between crew and passengers, CAAS said.
“Each member of the crew should wear a mask at all times and goggles when interacting with passengers. Whenever possible, they use separate toilets from the passengers. The aircrew is also assigned specific sections within the aircraft to facilitate tracking of contacts, “said the authority.
While abroad, the crew is also “strictly bubble-wrapped.”
Operating crew response flights do not disembark the aircraft at the foreign destination, except to conduct external security inspections of the aircraft, or for health or safety checks as required by the authorities.
This is to minimize their exposure at the airport terminal, CAAS said.
For crew members who need to stop over at overseas destinations, they must observe strict protocols such as wearing masks, observing safe distances, and staying in crew accommodation at all times.
The airline should also arrange a dedicated shuttle to transport the crew between the airport and the crew’s accommodation, CAAS said.
The entire aircrew also undergoes regular PCR tests upon returning from abroad.
This is to “provide an additional assurance for the crew, their families and Singaporeans that any imported infection can be quickly detected and necessary medical treatment can be given immediately to the crew,” the CAAS said.
To date, more than 22,500 COVID-19 PCR tests have been performed on aircrew. Aside from the two confirmed cases, all the others tested negative, the authority said.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
