Singapore Airlines could be the first where all crew members are vaccinated

As COVID-19 vaccinations begin to roll out around the world, Singapore Airlines wants to be the first international airline in the world to vaccinate all of its flight crew and ground workers against the deadly virus. Singapore today launched a massive exercise to vaccinate 37,000 frontline aviation and navy workers and hopes that all workers in these two important industries will be vaccinated within 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 signed up to receive their first dose of the COVID-vaccine. 19. He said getting frontline aviation workers vaccinated was an important step towards re-energizing Singapore as a major international aviation hub after the devastation caused by the global pandemic.

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A safe travel hub

While a significant number of workers in the aviation and maritime sectors are getting vaccinated, the minister said that,

“Anyone who walks by will know that it’s for sure (that) our people are cohesive, and we work as a team.

“It’s a huge brand name advantage.”

Mr Ong went on to say that Singapore Airlines could be the first airline in the world to vaccinate all of its workers. He noted that while the virus may be under control in Singapore, in other parts of the world it is spreading as a “fires.”

“All of our 37,000 pioneers are defenders of our borders because borders are a key vulnerability”, he said, addressing the Straits Times. He added that the Singapore government had reserved enough doses of the vaccine to care for the country’s key group of workers and urged frontline workers to take a step forward.

Asked about workers who might be reluctant to get vaccinated, Ong said there would be due to personal considerations, but that he expects the vast majority to get vaccinated, adding

“So just start vaccinating those who want it, and over time I think the momentum will increase, the snowball will get bigger and bigger. For the moment, the national policy remains that we do not make it compulsory, even at the sectoral level.

Terminal 4 can vaccinate 2,000 people per day

In a statement released by the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS), they emphasized that the Terminal 4 test center can currently vaccinate 2,000 people per day. He added that they are considering increasing that number.

Initially, priority will be given to around 20,000 frontline aviation workers, including cabin crew, security controllers, baggage handlers and cleaners; all workers who come into contact with travelers from high-risk countries. Meanwhile, at the Raffles City Convention Center, where maritime workers get vaccinated, the center can administer 1,000 jabs per day.

Recent COVID-19 infections in Singapore have been linked to workers in the aviation and maritime industries, with the 13 most recent cases linked to the bunker tanker NewOcean6. The Crowne Plaza Changi Airport hotel also had to close for two weeks from January 8 after several people, including crews and guests, tested positive for the virus.

Hong Kong travel bubble

Asked about the Hong Kong travel bubble that was postponed to November due to an increase in cases in China’s special administrative region, Ong said he preferred not to set a timetable.

“We have to take care of our situation ourselves, make sure we continue to keep our community cases very low, and if the conditions are right, we already have an agreement on the table and we can activate it at any time.” he added.

The plan is to have at least eight vaccination centers operational 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.