S Iswaran on imported Omicron cases and air travel amid COVID-19 pandemic

Singapore has had about 2,600 imported Omicron infections, of which less than 10 per cent have been in short-term visitors. The bulk have been in returning citizens, PRs and long-term visit pass holders, said Transport Minister S Iswaran in Parliament on Monday (Jan 10). In reply to MPs’ questions, he explained how border measures have been reviewed in light of the emergence of Omicron and the impact of the variant on vaccinated travel lanes (VTLs). Mr Iswaran also answered queries about airflow and COVID-19 transmissibility at Changi Airport. He said since the start of the pandemic, the air ventilation system at the airport has been progressively upgraded. Filters and HEPA air purifiers have been set up and ultraviolet-C sanitation equipment installed in the air-conditioning systems. The minister said passenger traffic at Changi rose to about 15 per cent of pre-COVID levels at the end of 2021 against 3 per cent at the start of the year, largely aided by the VTL schemes.