18 August 2020: Air crew (pilots and cabin crew) of Singapore carriers who return from over seas from 20 August 2020 will have to undergo COVID-19 testing on top of the stringent health and safety protocols earlier put in place by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). Existing protocols have been effective in keeping air crew of Singapore carriers safe as there have been no positive COVID-19 cases among air crew of Singapore carriers for more than three months.
However, there is a need for continued vigilance and COVID-19 testing will provide added assurance for crew, their families and the general public that any imported infection can be quickly detected, and given necessary medical treatment promptly. Early detection of any positive cases will also minimise chances of community transmission.
The air crew will be tested using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which is the testing standard used globally to diagnose if someone is currently infected with the COVID-19 virus.
