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

SINGAPORE — Face masks will soon be mandatory for passengers travelling with Singapore Airlines (SIA), its regional wing SilkAir and its low-cost arm Scoot, as part of new measures to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

From 11.59pm on Sunday (May 10), 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. Scoot issued a similar advisory on its website.

In response to TODAY's queries, SIA said that passengers who do not have a mask may approach its staff for one at the check-in counter or boarding gate.

"Passengers may also approach our crew on board for a mask if they need one," SIA said, adding: "We advise all passengers to bring their own mask as there may be limited supplies, and we are unable to board passengers who are not wearing a mask."

Passengers will also have to observe safe distancing measures when embarking and disembarking, as well as when queuing for the lavatory. SIA told TODAY that passengers will be boarded and disembarked in batches.

The airline 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.

These other measures include the suspension of hot towel service on board, and the removal of menu cards and seatback reading material such as magazines on all flights.

Cabin crew members and pilots have their temperatures taken before flights and do not report for work if they are unwell, said SIA. They also wear masks and goggles or eye visors during flights.

In addition, aircraft undergo a "thorough cleaning process" and are equipped with high efficiency particulate air filters, it said.

Scoot said that all its passengers are required to submit a health declaration form prior to check-in. They can complete the form at the check-in counters or access the online form via an SMS notification which they will receive 24 hours prior to their flight.

Temperature screening will be conducted at check-in and any passengers found to be having higher than normal temperatures will not be allowed to board.

Scoot is also reducing the weight limit for cabin baggage to 3kg. Previously, up to 10kg for economy class and 15kg for ScootPlus were allowed on board.

With the new limit, the remaining cabin baggage will be checked in at no additional cost, Scoot said.