Singapore Airport: Covid Testing Availability And Accessibility

In 2020, Singapore announced that it would be setting up a dedicated Covid-19 testing laboratory at Changi Airport, in a bid to revive its air hub status and encourage visitors from safe countries. The country's transport minister, Ong Ye Kung, emphasised the importance of testing as a means to unlock air travel, mitigate the risk of importing and spreading the virus, and ultimately open up its borders. Since then, the country has scrapped the Covid-19 test requirement for transit passengers through Changi Airport as of February 22, 2022. However, testing requirements may still apply if the passenger's final destination requires a negative test result. Additionally, access to certain airline lounges, such as Singapore Airlines' SilverKris first-class and business-class lounges, may require a negative Covid-19 test result.

Covid-19 testing lab at Changi Airport

Changi Airport in Singapore will be setting up a dedicated Covid-19 testing laboratory as part of its measures to reopen Singapore's borders to international travellers and revive its status as an air hub. The country is seeking to encourage visitors from safe countries, and the testing lab will help facilitate this.

The Transport Minister, Ong Ye Kung, announced the plans for the testing lab in October 2020, citing that testing is the key to unlocking air travel. With the coronavirus likely to persist, testing travellers before they board planes will become an emerging international practice, like security and bag checks. High-sensitivity tests can help filter out the virus at the border and mitigate the risk of it spreading in Singapore. This will allow the country to open its borders and do away with border closures and stay-home notices, which are a big deterrent to travel.

The increased emphasis on testing air travellers will be supported by an increase in Singapore's Covid-19 testing capacity. In October 2020, Singapore was testing 27,000 people daily using swab tests, and this number was expected to increase to 40,000 by November. The country has also been trialling rapid test kits, including breathalyser tests, which will be deployed where practicable.

In May 2021, a cluster of Covid-19 cases emerged at Changi Airport, with a total of 43 airport workers testing positive. The initial transmission was likely a worker who assisted an infected family from South Asia. As a result, the airport further segregated passengers arriving from low-risk places from other passengers.

From 22 February 2022, Singapore eased its border control measures, removing the pre-departure test requirement for transit passengers through Changi Airport. However, passengers may still need to carry a test result if their final destination requires it.

Rapid test kits

Changi Airport in Singapore has been working on setting up a dedicated Covid-19 testing laboratory as part of its measures to reopen its borders to international travellers. The Transport Minister, Ong Ye Kung, has emphasised the importance of testing travellers before they board a plane, stating that "with high-sensitivity tests, we can filter out the virus at the border, better still before the traveller boards the plane, and significantly mitigate the risk of importing and spreading the virus in Singapore".

As part of their efforts to improve testing capabilities, Singapore has been trialling rapid test kits, including breathalyser tests, which can provide results on the spot. These rapid tests are being developed by DSO National Laboratories and A*Star, and they halve the time needed to process and analyse patient samples to between one and 1.5 hours. The breathalyser tests are less intrusive, as they use deep throat saliva samples, and will be deployed "where practicable".

In February 2022, the Ministry of Health (MOH) conducted a study to trial the efficiency of antigen rapid testing (ART) self-test kits for on-arrival passengers at Changi Airport. During this period, several passengers received free ART kits following their PCR tests. The ART kits are significantly cheaper at S$5 each, compared to PCR tests which cost S$125 per passenger. Results from ART kits are also much faster, usually within 10 to 15 minutes, whereas PCR tests can take up to 12 hours.

The use of ART kits has been gradually integrated into Singapore's travel restrictions, making it less onerous for travellers. From 24 January, travellers entering Singapore through Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flights were no longer required to perform daily ART tests. Instead, they only needed to swab themselves on days they planned to go out, and they did not have to submit their test results.

As of 1 March 2023, Antigen Rapid Tests (ART), including ART home testing kits, are accepted for air passengers flying directly from Singapore to China. Passengers are required to present a negative test result obtained within 48 hours before boarding China-bound flights.

Testing for air travellers

Changi Airport in Singapore has a dedicated Covid-19 testing laboratory. The country is seeking to encourage visitors from safe countries and revive its status as an air hub.

The testing laboratory was set up in response to the emerging international practice of testing travellers before they board a plane. Testing is seen as a way to unlock air travel and reopen borders. With high-sensitivity tests, the virus can be filtered out at the border, reducing the risk of it spreading in Singapore.

Breathalyser tests are among the rapid test kits being trialled and will be deployed "where practicable". Other tests being trialled include less intrusive tests using deep throat saliva, and rapid test kits that can show results on the spot. Singapore's testing capacity has increased, with the country now able to conduct over 27,000 tests daily using swab tests.

From 22 February 2022, Singapore removed its pre-departure test requirement for transit passengers through Changi Airport. However, passengers flying through Changi Airport may still need to carry a test result if their final destination requires it.

In addition, access to Singapore Airlines' airport lounges requires a negative Covid-19 test result. This includes the SilverKris first class and business class lounges.

Testing for airport workers

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore's Changi Airport has implemented multiple risk-based measures to protect airport workers, including segregation, vaccinations, protection, and regular testing. These measures have been put in place in close consultation with the Ministry of Health (MOH).

In January 2021, a special testing operation was conducted at Changi Airport, where a total of 409 staff were tested for COVID-19, and all results came back negative. However, in May 2021, a cluster of COVID-19 cases emerged at the airport, leading to another round of testing. Out of almost 19,000 airport workers swabbed, 43 tested positive for COVID-19, with the source likely being a worker who assisted an infected family from South Asia.

In response to the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, such as the Omicron variant, Singapore has implemented a more stringent testing regime for airport and other border frontline workers. Those who may have come into contact with travellers from places affected by the Omicron variant are required to undergo weekly COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests instead of antigen rapid tests (ARTs). The PCR tests facilitate the detection of the Omicron variant and are considered the gold standard for COVID-19 testing. However, they have a longer turnaround time for results compared to ARTs, which can produce results in around 30 minutes.

Additionally, airport workers in higher-risk roles at Changi Airport have been placed on a seven-day Rostered Routine Testing (RRT) cycle, with an additional Antigen Rapid Test (ART) introduced between the RRT cycles. This enhanced testing regime aims to safeguard the health and safety of airport workers and the public.

Testing for lounge access

Singapore Airlines has long been a favoured airline for business class passengers and top-tier frequent flyers. However, in addition to showing their boarding pass or Gold-grade frequent flyer card, visitors to Singapore Airlines' SilverKris first-class and business-class lounges will also need to produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test result. This test must be taken at a recognised or accredited clinic, laboratory, or medical facility within 72 hours before the scheduled departure date of the flight.

Singapore Airlines states that this rule applies to anyone wanting to use the lounge, even if they are not flying with the airline. This is in line with the entry requirements of Singapore, which is the final destination for all Singapore Airlines flights.

There are a variety of ways to access airport lounges in Singapore, including flying first or business class, having elite frequent flyer status, purchasing a one-day pass, or using a credit card with lounge perks.

Singapore's Changi Airport has 23-24 lounges spread across its four passenger terminals and Jewel Changi. Lounges in this airport offer many amenities, such as showers, complimentary food and drinks, stable internet access, and numerous power outlets and USB ports.

Frequently asked questions