Air crew to undergo more frequent PCR tests, further minimise contact with locals on layovers: CAAS

AIR crew of Singapore carriers will now have to undergo more Covid-19 tests and minimise their contact with locals while on layover, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said on Wednesday.

The authority's announcement of tightened measures follows the emergence of two Covid-19 positive cases among Singapore Airlines' personnel over the past week - a member of the cabin crew tested positive on Dec 27, and a pilot on Dec 29.

Currently, air crew on layover are required to stay in their crew accommodation at all times and observe strict protocols such as donning masks.

Newly added precautions, such as leaving meals outside their rooms instead of handing them over, will further minimise their contact with locals.

The tightened measures, which take place with immediate affect, will also require those who lay over in high-risk destinations to undergo Covid-19 PCR tests on arrival, as well as on the third and seventh days following their return to Singapore. They will also have to be isolated until they receive a negative result from the test on the seventh day upon return.

Crew travelling to and from South Africa will now have to don full personal protective equipment, including N95 masks, face shields, protective gowns and gloves.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

Those travelling to and from the United Kingdom have been abiding by similar measures since Dec 24.

CAAS said its preliminary investigations showed that the SIA steward, who tested positive on Dec 27, had adhered to the mandated inflight and layover measures, and stayed in his hotel room throughout his layover in New York. He interacted with an immigration officer and staff at the hotel while checking in. He also collected his meal from a hotel staff, who delivered it to his room.

All crew members and 16 passengers he had served have tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

The pilot who tested positive on Dec 29 had also adhered to mandated measures, and had no contact with passengers on board his flight to London. He, too, interacted with an immigration officer as well as hotel staff, including one who delivered a meal to his room, CAAS said.