COVID-19 Outbreak Closes Changi Airport to Public

Changi Airport in Singapore will cut public access to all its terminals and the Jewel shopping centre following an outbreak of COVID-19 cases there. 

Officials said on Wednesday (12 May) the move was necessary for workers to be tested and for the facilities to be cleaned. The terminals will remain open for the few international passengers flying in and out of Singapore and for airport workers. 

The closures come as the number of COVID-19 cases linked to the airport continues to grow. Seven of the community cases announced on Wednesday are linked to the Changi Airport cluster, taking the total number of cases in the cluster to 25.

Changi Airport Group, the operator of the airport, said terminals 1 and 3 and the Jewel will be temporarily closed to the public from 13 to 26 May to provide time to complete a special COVID-19 swab test for all frontline airport staff and the cleaning and disinfection of premises and facilities. 

The airport remains open for air travel during this period. However, access to the terminals will be restricted to passengers with air tickets and essential airport workers. Passenger can continue to be dropped off and picked up at the airport. Only essential services and selected F&B outlets will remain open for passengers and airport workers.

“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 Group said. 

“We urge all airport workers as well as staff working in Jewel to refrain from going out except for essential work or activities for the next 14 days or until they have been tested negative for COVID-19. They should also not be redeployed to other workplaces or outlets during this period.”

By Joe Cusmano