Singapore: Ensure passengers carry negative COVID-19 report, airlines told

Singapore, Jun 2 (PTI) authorities here have told airlines to ensure that those coming to Singapore have a valid negative coronavirus test report before boarding a flight.

measure applies on Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs) too, a Channel News Asia report said.

Previously only long-term pass holders and short-term pass visitors entering Singapore were required to present a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test report.

new directions have come after Ministry of Health anunced last week that Singaporeans and PRs are w required to present a report of test, taken within 72 hours before departing for Singapore.

"Airlines must t allow a passenger to board flight to Singapore if that passenger fails to produce result of required PCR test or if result of that PCR test is positive. y will be responsible to carry a person who is denied entry into Singapore back to point of departure,” said Margaret Tan, Security Director at Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

se PCR certificates should be issued by an internationally accredited or recognised laboratory, clinic or medical facility specified by Singapore’s Ministry of Health, Tan said.

All airlines flying into Changi Airport here have been informed of new requirement.

Those who arrive without a valid negative test result may be denied entry, ministry said, ding that PRs and long-term pass holders who fail to comply may also have ir permit or pass cancelled.

According to Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) SafeTravel website, those travelling by plane or boat will have to present ir test result at air and sea checkpoints upon arrival in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said passengers will be required to show its service nts a valid negative test certificate.

“This test must have been taken within 72 hours of ir first point of embarkation,” said a spokesperson for national carrier.

“Passengers who are unable to produce a valid certificate will t be permitted to board flight,” news report quoting airline spokesperson said. However, those who are unable to get COVID-19 tests done in time will be allowed to book ar flight without incurring furr penalties, SIA said. “Complimentary re-booking is available for passengers who are unable to meet requirements in time, subject to seat availability,” said SIA spokesperson.

Moreover, a growing number of public places, including hotels, eateries and shopping malls are being ted as clusters for spreing COVID-19, according to media reports.

Some of se places have been or are being shut down for sanitisation while people having visited se places are urged to go for coronavirus tests.

COVID-19 tests are also being carried out on residents of apartment blocks in public housing estates where some coronavirus infections have been reported and traced while students are being vaccinated as Singapore implements tough safety measures to control spre of COVID-19.

On Monday, Singapore reported 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 15 of which were in community (local).

or three were imported cases, one from India and two from Philippines.

To date, Singapore has recorded 62,069 COVID-19 cases while 61,481 people have fully recovered.

Thirty-three people have died from complications due to disease, said Health Ministry. PTI GS RDK RDK