As COVID-19 vaccinations begin to roll out worldwide, Singapore Airlines wants to be the first international airline to have its entire flight crew and ground workers vaccinated against the deadly virus. Today, Singapore has started a massive exercise to vaccinate 37,000 frontline aviation workers and seafarers and expects all workers in these two important sectors to be vaccinated in two months.
During a visit to the vaccination center at Changi Airport, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung told reporters that, so far, 13,000 workers have registered to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. He said vaccinating frontline aviation officials was a significant step towards reviving Singapore as a major international air hub after the devastation caused by the global pandemic.
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A safe travel center
If a significant number of workers in the aviation and maritime sectors are vaccinated, the minister said that,
“Passersby will know that it is safe (that) our people are cohesive and we work as a team.
“This is a big advantage in terms of our brand.”
Ong went on to say that Singapore Airlines could be the first airline in the world to vaccinate all of its employees. He noted that while the virus may be under control in Singapore, in other parts of the world it is spreading like an “fires.”
“All of our 37,000 front-liners, they are the defenders of our borders because borders are a key vulnerability,” he said when speaking to The Straits Times. He added that the Singapore government has reserved sufficient doses of the vaccine to care for the country’s key group of workers and has asked frontline workers to step forward.
When asked about workers who may be reluctant to be vaccinated, Mr. Ong said there would be some due to personal considerations, but that he expects the vast majority to be vaccinated, adding,
“So, just start vaccinating those who are ready first, and over time, I think, the momentum will grow, the snowball will get bigger and bigger. As of now, national policy remains that we do not make it mandatory, even in the sector ”
Terminal 4 can vaccinate 2,000 people a day
In a statement released by the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS), they made a point of pointing out that the test center in Terminal 4 can currently vaccinate 2,000 people a day. He also said that they are thinking of increasing that number.
Initially, priority will be given to some 20,000 aviation frontline workers, including cabin crew, security inspectors, luggage and cleaning personnel; all workers who come into contact with travelers from high-risk countries. Meanwhile, at the Raffles City Convention Center, where seafarers are being vaccinated, the center can administer 1,000 jabs a day.
Recent COVID-19 infections in Singapore have been linked to workers in the aviation and maritime sectors, with the 13 most recent cases related to the NewOcean tanker6. The Crowne Plaza Changi Airport hotel also had to close for two weeks starting on January 8, after several people, including crew and guests, tested positive for the virus.
Hong Kong travel bubble
When asked about the Hong Kong travel bubble, which was delayed in November due to the increase in cases in the Special Administrative Region of China, Ong said he preferred not to set a deadline.
“We must take care of our situation ourselves, ensure that we continue to keep our community cases very low and, if conditions are right, we have an agreement already signed on the table and we can activate it at any time”, he added.
The plan is to have at least eight vaccination centers in operation in Singapore by the end of February and to have all citizens and permanent residents vaccinated by the third quarter of 2021.
Do you think other countries like Singapore should try to vaccinate frontline air and sea workers before the general public? Please tell us what you think in the comments.