Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg

On Thursday (May 20), the number of Covid-19 cases linked to the Changi Airport Terminal 3 cluster hit 100.

In a press release on Friday (May 21), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) provided an update on the situation at Changi Airport, and provided more information about further measures they will be taking.

Total of 43 airport workers tested positive for Covid-19 so far

On May 5, an 88-year-old cleaner deployed at Terminal 3 tested positive for Covid-19. Three days later, three more workers at the airport tested positive. This grew to four new cases the next day.

From May 9 to 20, close to 19,000 frontline workers and office workers in the Changi Airport Passenger Terminal Buildings (PTBs) and Jewel Changi Airport (Jewel) were tested for Covid-19 as part of a special testing operation, according to the press release.

All workers at Changi Airport Terminal 1 and Jewel tested negative for Covid-19. 10 workers from Terminal 3 (T3) tested positive.

Just to be safe, workers in T3 Basement 2 who tested negative for Covid-19 at first have been rostered to take an additional Covid- 19 test since May 20, and these results are currently pending.

As of May 20, a total of 43 airport workers — including the 10 who were detected from the special testing operation — have tested positive for Covid-19.

The 33 other airport workers who have tested positive for Covid-19 were detected in one of the following scenarios:

• While serving Quarantine Orders,
• Through earlier Rostered Routine Testing,
• Through MOH's voluntary testing operation for visitors to T3,
• Or, upon seeking medical treatment from a General Practitioner.

The cases peaked around May 13, and most were detected early, CAAS and CAG said.

None of the cases are in serious condition, require oxygen, or are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Initial transmission likely from airport worker assisting family

CAAS and CAG announced that phylogenetic testing results for an initial batch of Covid-19 positive airport workers were found to be similar, and all of the B.1.617 variant.

This indicates that they originated from a common source.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the initial transmission could have occurred through an airport worker who was assisting a family from South Asia.

The family arrived in Singapore on Apr. 29 and subsequently tested positive for Covid-19 through their On-Arrival Tests.

Further investigations by MOH and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) are ongoing.

Increased testing for passengers from "very high-risk" areas

Starting from Thursday (May 20), all arriving passengers from "very high-risk" countries and regions must undergo Antigen Rapid Tests (ART), on top of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests.

CAAS and CAG noted that while ARTs are less sensitive than PCR tests, it provides an addition layer of screening.

"The quicker turnaround time of an ART compared to a PCR test will allow for public health actions to be taken more quickly for persons who test positive by ART."

In addition, starting from May 23, airport workers in higher risk roles will be required to take an additional ART between their seven-day Rostered Routing Tests (RRTs).

Strengthening measures

CAAS and CAG announced on May 19 that various safety measures have been in place in Changi Airport since onset of Covid-19.

For example, since March 2020, workers handling flights from the highest-risk countries were trained in the use of and donned the full suite of personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 masks, face shields, medical gowns and gloves.

In addition, over 90 per cent of frontline aviation workers have been vaccinated so far, since Jan. 2021, and more will be vaccinated in the next few weeks.

From May 2021, Changi Airport will implement stricter arrangements to segregate airport workers, such as separate dining and rest areas for different groups, and ring-fencing higher-risk work teams from mingling with others.

This is to "boost our defences at the airport given the emergence of a more transmissible strain of Covid-19", said CAAS and CAG.

Changi Airport PTBs & Jewel closed to public until Jun. 13

CAAS and CAG announced that additional cleaning and disinfection of Changi Airport Passenger Terminal Buildings and Jewel have been completed.

However, as an added precaution, they will remain closed to members of public until the end of the Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) period, which is Jun. 13.

The airport remains open for air travel.

During this time, airport workers will be briefed and trained on the new measures and requirements, to allow the new measures and safety protocols to be implemented smoothly.

"The safety of our airport workers and safeguarding public health remain our top priorities," CAAS and CAG said, adding that they will continue to actively review and strengthen their measures to protect airport workers, their families, and public health.

"We call on all Singaporeans to continue giving their full support to our airport workers in this difficult period."

Related stories:

Top photo by Joshua Lee.