OMICRON COVID-19 @ Singapore: Two travellers from South Africa with transit flight at S’pore test positive for Omicron variant

Singapore — Two travellers from South Africa in a transit flight through Singapore tested positive for the new Omicron Covid-19 variant in Sydney.

In its daily Covid-19 update Monday (Nov 29), the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that two travellers who arrived in Sydney from southern Africa on Singapore Airlines SQ211 on Nov 28 had tested positive for the Omicron variant of concern.

The travellers departed from Johannesburg on Nov 27 via Singapore Airlines SQ481 and arrived at Changi Airport on the same day for their transit flight.

MOH noted that the travellers’ pre-departure tests in South Africa on Nov 26 were negative for Covid-19 infection.

Most of the travellers had remained in the transit area at Changi Airport until their departure for Sydney on the same day.

It was reported that the passengers did not enter Singapore or visit other areas in Changi Airport, although seven individuals disembarked the aircraft.

Six travellers are currently on a 10-day stay-home notice (SHN) at a dedicated facility and will be PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tested for Covid-19.

Meanwhile, one of the individuals was in close contact with an infected person on the flight and had already been quarantined.

“Contact tracing is ongoing for airport staff who may have come into transient contact with the cases,” said MOH.

On Monday, the New South Wales health ministry (NSW Health) said in a media release that both passengers were fully vaccinated and have been isolated in special health accommodation.

“Everyone on the flight is considered a close contact and will need to get tested immediately for Covid-19 and isolate for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status,” said NSW Health.

On Friday (Nov 26), the Omicron Covid-19 variant was categorized by the World Health Organization as a variant of concern, indicating a higher risk of transmission than previous variants after it was first detected in South Africa.

As a result, countries such as England, Australia, and Singapore have banned travellers from South Africa, among other African nations such as Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, and Zimbabwe.

WHO advised the public to keep a physical distance of at least one metre away from others, wear a mask and practice proper hand hygiene as the most effective steps to reduce the spread of the virus. /TISG

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