Jewel Changi Airport, Terminals 1 and 3 to be closed to public as COVID-19 testing continues

SINGAPORE: Jewel Changi Airport in addition to Terminals 1 and three might be closed to members of the general public from Thursday (Might 13) for 14 days after a COVID-19 cluster with 25 instances was recognized there.

All staff in Terminals 1 and three, in addition to Jewel Changi Airport have been present process necessary COVID-19 checks in a particular testing operation that started on Sunday. Terminal 2 has been closed since Might 1, 2020.

Whereas the particular testing operation is ongoing, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) stated on Wednesday that the passenger terminals buildings might be closed to members of the general public from Thursday.

As a precaution, passenger terminal buildings might be reopened 14 days afterward Might 27. Jewel will even be closed for 14 days, stated the authorities.

READ: 10 new group COVID-19 instances, together with 7 linked to Changi Airport cluster

Changi Airport stays open for air journey throughout this era, stated CAAS and CAG, including that passengers might also proceed to be dropped off and picked up from the airport.

“Entry to the passenger terminal buildings might be restricted to solely passengers with air tickets and important airport staff," said the authorities.

"Some important providers and meals and beverage retailers will stay open to serve them. For readability, members of the general public won't be allowed to enter the passenger terminal buildings."

FREE TESTING FOR PEOPLE WHO VISITED T3

In a separate press launch, the Ministry of Well being (MOH) stated it's going to provide free COVID-19 testing for members of the general public who had visited Terminal 3 from Might 3 onwards.

That is to "pre-emptively mitigate any potential risk of wider, undetected community transmission", stated the Well being Ministry.

"MOH will progressively inform these individuals via SMS notification with information on how to book an appointment for their test," it added.

All guests to Terminal 1 and Jewel from Might 3 onwards are additionally suggested to observe their well being intently for 14 days from their date of go to. 

"They are strongly encouraged to visit a regional screening centre or Swab and Send Home (SASH) Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) for a free COVID-19 test if they feel unwell," added MOH.

"REFRAIN FROM GOING OUT"

“We urge all airport staff in addition to workers working in Jewel to chorus from going out aside from important work or actions for the following 14 days or till they've been examined detrimental for COVID-19. They need to additionally not be redeployed to different workplaces or retailers throughout this era," said CAAS and CAG.

"Given the evolving nature of COVID-19, we'll proceed to evaluate and regulate the measures as essential, together with extending the closure if required."

CAAS and CAG said aviation workers will continue to do their best to secure Singapore’s borders while ensuring that Singapore stays connected to the world even during the pandemic.

CHANGI AIRPORT CLUSTER GROWS

Including the seven new infections reported on Wednesday, the Changi Airport COVID-19 cluster has now grown to 26 cases, including household contacts and family members of previous cases.

The first infection in the cluster was detected on May 5, when an 88-year-old man who works as a cleaner at Terminal 3 tested positive.

A Victoria Junior College student who tested positive for the virus on May 7 was on Tuesday linked to the Changi Airport cluster.

The student had visited the Kopitiam food court at Changi Airport Terminal 3 on May 3, the same day as two other cases in the Changi Airport cluster, said MOH on Tuesday.

CAG said last week that about 9,000 workers from Terminal 1, Terminal 3 and Jewel Changi Airport will undergo COVID-19 testing.

All vaccinated frontline airport workers who had earlier been tested every 28 days will now be tested every 14 days as part of rostered routine testing.

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