Singapore enlists grounded air crew for virus prevention service

Tuesday, 7 April 2020 11:23

Several aviation companies have teamed up with the Singapore government to use grounded staff to help in the fight against coronavirus.

Pilots and cabin crew from Jetstar Asia, the Singapore-based unit of Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd, are now functioning as government virus awareness "ambassadors".

They are seen handing out pamphlets about social distancing guidelines at residential areas and teaching restaurants about steps to take to follow hygiene rules.

Staff from flag carrier Singapore Airlines and aviation services provider SATS Ltd are also being signed up as contact tracers and administrative staff in hospitals.

Meanwhile, Singapore has also co-funded a large share of workers' wages in the aviation sector as part of preventive measures to fight the economic impact of the pandemic

It comes the first day of a month-long partial lockdown has kicked off, with people advised to stay home unless for emergencies or essential activities.

More from International News

Homeland Security to send hundreds more officers to Minnesota

The US Department of Homeland Security is sending "hundreds" more officers to Minnesota, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, after tens of thousands of people marched through Minneapolis to protest the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration agent.
India proposes forcing smartphone makers to give source code in security overhaul

India proposes requiring smartphone makers to share source code with the government and make several software changes as part of a raft of security measures, prompting behind-the-scenes opposition from giants like Apple and Samsung.
US military targets IS in Syria strikes

The US military said on Saturday it carried out multiple strikes in Syria targeting ISIS as part of an operation that Washington launched in December after an attack on American personnel.
Israeli fire kills three people in Gaza, tension rises

Israeli fire killed at least three Palestinians in two separate incidents across Gaza, local health authorities said, as tension rises over continued violence.