COVID-19: Mandatory for SIA, SilkAir and Scoot passengers to wear face masks on board, observe safe distancing

Face masks will soon be mandatory for passengers travelling with Singapore Airlines, regional wing SilkAir and budget carrier Scoot, as part of new measures to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. From 11.59pm on Sunday, all passengers on SIA and SilkAir flights must bring their own face mask on board and wear it throughout the flight, said SIA in an advisory on its website on Saturday. Passengers will also have to observe safe distancing measures when embarking and disembarking, as well as when queuing for the lavatory. This is in accordance with a directive by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, said the airline. SIA said that its ground staff and cabin crew will assist to ensure that passengers observe safe-distancing measures at all times. It also announced other travel measures for certain flights. Customers travelling to Singapore will undergo a basic health assessment before boarding, including a verbal health declaration and temperature checks, said the airline. Meal services will be suspended for flights within Southeast Asia and services to China. Passengers will be given a snack bag with water and refreshments when boarding instead. All other flights will have meals provided. "These measures are in addition to the existing precautionary measures that SIA and SilkAir have in place to safeguard the wellbeing of our customers and crew," said SIA.<br/>