Additional screening measures against Ebola at Changi Airport
SINGAPORE — From noon tomorrow (Oct 15), there will be additional screening measures against Ebola at the arrival halls of Changi Airport.
SINGAPORE — From noon tomorrow (Oct 15), there will be additional screening measures against Ebola at the arrival halls of Changi Airport.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) announced the measures today, saying that it has been closely watching the Ebola situation, including developments in Spain and the United States. “These show that an imported case and the potential for community exposure from imported cases cannot be ruled out,” said the MOH.
As part of the additional measures, travellers from countries with reported Ebola Virus Disease activity — currently Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Senegal and Democratic Republic of Congo — will be directed to a screening station, where they will be screened for temperature and exposure to Ebola through a questionnaire.
They will also have to fill in the Health Declaration Card, which will include their contact details in Singapore.
Travellers who are cleared will be directed to the duty desk at the arrival hall, where they will clear immigration control.
Those who are found to have a fever will be transported in an appropriate ambulance transport to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for further medical assessment.
Travellers who are well but who are identified as having possible exposure to Ebola virus infection will be quarantined or put under surveillance depending on the risk assessment.
The Health Declaration Card will also be implemented at land and sea checkpoints, as well as at Seletar Airport.
The MOH said it has reminded all hospitals about the importance of vigilance against possible suspect cases and strict infection control practices, when managing suspect or confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease. The ministry added that public hospitals have appropriate infection control measures in place.
“Before travelling to West or Central Africa, members of the public are encouraged to refer to the MOH web page on Ebola for the latest Health Advisory. They should consider postponing travel to countries with reported Ebola Virus Disease activity, if it is non-essential,” said the ministry, adding that people who need to travel should adopt necessary precautions.