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SINGAPORE: A Singapore Airlines (SIA) cabin crew member who tested positive for COVID-19 after working on a flight back to the United Arab Emirates did not interact with any infected passengers on the flight, the Aviation Authority said. Singapore Civil (CAAS) on Friday. (February 12).
But he may have come into close contact with the cleaners who came aboard the plane during the course change in Dubai, CAAS said in response to CNA inquiries.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the cabin crew member had tested positive for the B117 strain following a return flight from Dubai. She did not disembark from the plane, he added. The flight departed Singapore on January 30 and returned on February 1.
Four other passengers on the flight back to Singapore also tested positive for COVID-19, the Health Ministry said.
CAAS said the cabin crew member flew to Dubai serving business class with no passengers.
“For the flight to Singapore, she was placed as a passenger and sat with the rest of the crew in the rear of the aircraft, with her own dedicated area and bathroom,” CAAS said, adding that she did not interact with any infected passengers. aboard the plane.
“However, during the change of course in Dubai, the cleaners got on board the plane and it is possible that she was in close contact with them.”
The CAAS said it has since tightened the requirements for course change flights to not allow cleaners and other “non-essential” personnel to enter the aircraft during course change.
“If interaction with ground personnel is necessary, the crew must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE),” added CAAS.
READ: SIA cabin crew member could have been infected on flight, 4 passengers also tested positive for COVID-19: MOH
In response to inquiries from the CNA, SIA said it disinfected the aircraft surfaces with an approved disinfectant, in accordance with the prST poocedure cleaning procedures for its aircraft.
“All dirty sheets were cleaned at high heat to disinfect, high-point areas in bathrooms and overhead cabinets were coated with an antimicrobial layer, and a new set of sheets and headphones was provided for passengers the next flight, “the airline said.
SIA said it also performed “electrostatic spraying” to disinfect the cabin.
“We continue to be guided by the relevant health authorities to ensure the well-being of our clients and staff members,” he added.
SINGAPORE CARRIER CREW MEMBERS EXEMPT FROM HOME NOTICE
As with all crew members on Singapore’s aircraft carriers, the crew member who tested positive for COVID-19 was not required to receive a stay-at-home notice upon arrival in Singapore.
“Instead, we work with the Ministry of Health to implement strict policies to protect the aircrew and minimize their risk of exposure to COVID-19 during their service aboard the aircraft,” said CAAS.
These measures include minimizing interaction between crew members and passengers, and wearing PPE at all times.
“This is the same approach as for workers in other sectors who might also come into contact with COVID-19 cases in the course of their work, such as healthcare workers,” added CAAS.
READ: More than 52,000 transportation workers have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
When asked about the number of passengers on board the flight and their current status, SIA said it does not comment on “commercially sensitive” information and is working with authorities on any contact tracing that may be necessary.
The airline added that there were 18 cabin crew members and four pilots who flew on that flight.
“The cabin crew member’s co-workers have been isolated and quarantined, according to standard operating procedures,” SIA said.
“We will work with authorities on any contact tracing that may be necessary.”
On whether cabin crew members aboard the flight had been vaccinated against COVID-19, SIA said: “We are unable to comment on specific individuals for privacy reasons.”
Overall, he said that more than 90 percent of eligible SIA Group staff members, including cabin crew members and pilots, have signed up for the COVID-19 vaccine and have been progressively receiving their vaccine since ” late January”.
According to SIA Executive Director Goh Choon Phong, 85 percent of the staff members who signed up to be vaccinated received their first dose.
He said this while speaking to the media on Thursday, when three flights operated by the group’s airlines, SIA, budget carrier Scoot, and regional carrier SilkAir, took off with all pilots and cabin crew vaccinated against COVID-19.
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