Rationale for Stay-Home Notices for Non-Singapore Airlines Flight Crews But Not for Singapore-based Airlines
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim's inquiry into why Stay-Home Notices (SHNs) are required for non-Singapore airline crews but not for those from Singapore-based airlines. Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung stated that local crews follow stringent protocols, such as using protective gear, dedicated transport, location trackers, and hotel confinement during overseas layovers. He noted that air crew from higher-risk regions undergo COVID-19 PCR testing, with recent enhancements including more frequent tests, self-isolation periods, and potential priority for vaccinations. This treatment aligns with protocols for frontline medical workers who rely on preventive measures rather than SHNs to continue their essential duties safely. Foreign-based airlines must comply with these equivalent preventive measures to avoid SHNs; otherwise, their crews are required to serve SHNs for the duration of their stay.
Transcript
31 Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Transport why are Stay-Home Notices (SHNs) required of flight crews from non-Singapore airlines but not for Singapore-based airlines.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Air crew of Singapore-based airlines are subjected to stringent COVID-19 preventive measures.
For example, while serving on board, they will wear masks and face shields, and refrain from interacting with passengers. Where it is necessary to stay over at the overseas destination, they take dedicated transport to their hotels, wear location trackers and must remain in their hotel room until their departure flight.
In addition, all air crew of Singapore-based airlines who are returning from higher-risk countries and regions must undergo a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) swab test when they are back in Singapore. In light of the recent COVID-19 cases involving SIA air crew, we have enhanced the measures, such as more frequent testing for air crew who have layovers in higher risk countries after they have returned to Singapore and requiring them to self-isolate for a few days. We are also exploring including air crew as a priority group for vaccinations.
This treatment is consistent with those of frontline workers like doctors and nurses, who do not have to serve stay-at-home notices (SHNs) after performing their duties in view of the preventive measures taken to protect them while they are on duty.
If foreign-based airlines can comply with these preventive measures, their air crew will be subject to the same rules. If not, they will have to serve SHNs for the duration of their stay in Singapore, regardless of which countries they flew in from.