Airline crew to bear more recurrent PCR tests and self-isolate just after 2 SIA crew associates down with Covid-19
CAAS in session with MOH, will further more tighten the measures for air crew of Singapore carriers with rapid impact. ST Image: JASON QUAH
By Timothy Goh

The Straits Situations/ANN
SINGAPORE – Crew members of Singapore carriers will have to endure stricter Covid-19 regulate steps with immediate effect following the news of a Singapore Airways (SIA) cabin crew member and an SIA pilot testing positive for the coronavirus.
Asserting this on Wednesday night (Dec 30), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) stated it was tightening steps to make certain the security and effectively-being of air crew and to safeguard public health and fitness in Singapore.


“Air crew face sizeable challenges in the system of their obligations. They do so because it is important for Singapore to sustain air connectivity. Many vital materials, these kinds of as vaccines, can only be delivered by air. Singaporeans abroad and other vital travellers need to have to be ready to vacation to and from Singapore,” mentioned CAAS in a statement.


The first circumstance, a cabin crew member, tested favourable on Dec 27. He had final flown to New York on SQ24 on Dec 12, and returned to Singapore on Dec 16 aboard SQ23.


He was asymptomatic at the time and was analyzed on Dec 23 and 25 underneath the tests protocol for Singapore carriers’ air crew when they return from abroad. Both of those checks ended up inconclusive but an further exam on Dec 27 returned favourable.


CAAS said its preliminary investigation showed that the man experienced adhered to the mandated in-flight and layover measures, which includes wearing a mask, minimising get in touch with with passengers and locals, and remaining in his resort area.


For the duration of the layover in New York, he interacted with the immigration officer and resort verify-in staff and collected his meal from a lodge staff members who delivered it to his space.


All crew members and 16 passengers who had been seated in the section of the plane cabin served by him have examined detrimental.


The 2nd scenario, a pilot, analyzed optimistic on Dec 29. He experienced very last flown to London on SQ322 on Dec 19 and returned to Singapore on Dec 22.


He was tested on Dec 23 and gained a detrimental final result on Dec 25. But on Dec 26, he formulated a fever and went to a clinic for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) examination on Dec 27, which returned good on Dec 29.


CAAS reported its preliminary investigation showed that the pilot experienced adhered to the similar mandated in-flight and layover steps as the first circumstance. He also experienced no contact with travellers on board the flight.


Through the layover in London, he interacted with the immigration officer and resort examine-in workers and also gathered his meal from a resort workers who delivered it to his room.


CAAS explained that just after consulting with the Ministry of Overall health, it will now demand air crew on layover to more minimise their get hold of with locals.


For example, foods sent as a result of place company should be remaining outside the home at the doorway instead of currently being handed above.


Those who lay around in substantial-hazard destinations will be demanded to bear a PCR tests on arrival and on the 3rd and seventh day next their return to Singapore.


Crew members will be needed to self-isolate right until they get a damaging end result from their seventh-working day PCR examination.


In addition, crew travelling to and from South Africa will have to don comprehensive private protecting devices (PPE), like N95 masks, deal with shields, protecting robes and gloves.