(ChannelNewsAsia) Singapore: Singapore will gradually allow travellers to transit through Changi Airport from June 2, as it prepares to ease some Covid-19 restrictions and reopen its borders.
“Stringent measures” will be put in place to ensure that the passengers remain in designated facilities in the transit area and do not mix with other passengers at the airport, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) today (May 20).
Meanwhile the number of Covid-19 cases in Singapore crossed the 29,000 mark today, with 570 new infections reported as of noon.
The vast majority of cases are work permit holders residing in foreign worker dormitories, said the Ministry of Health in its preliminary daily update.
Two cases are Singaporeans or permanent residents.
This brings the total number of cases in the country to 29,364.
CAAS also said that airport staff will also be required to wear personal protective equipment when interacting with passengers.
Existing precautionary measures, such as safe distancing, temperature taking for passengers and staff, will continue to be enforced, said the authority.
Currently, foreign passengers are only allowed to transit through Singapore if they are on repatriation flights arranged by their governments.
The Ministry of Health had said on Tuesday that Singapore will gradually reopen its borders with safeguards in place, to allow Singaporeans to conduct essential activities abroad and for foreigners to enter and transit through the country.
Airlines should submit their proposals for transfer lanes through Changi Airport, said CAAS.
It added that the proposals will be evaluated taking into account aviation safety, public health considerations, as well as the health of passengers and air crew.
“This is part of Singapore’s strategy to gradually reopen air transport to meet the needs of our economy and our people, whilst ensuring sufficient safeguards for safe travel,” said the aviation authority.
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Top: Canopy Park at Jewel Changi Airport . Photo: Twang_Dunga (CC BY 2.0)
