An Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer deployed at Changi Airport has tested positive for COVID-19 on 27 April 2021. He is listed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) as Case Number 62517. The officer is currently warded at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID). ICA is in touch with the officer and his family to render necessary support and assistance.

2.         The officer last reported for duty on 22 April where he had undergone a Rostered Routine Testing (RRT), which returned a negative result. He did not report to work on 23 April as it was his day off. On 23 April, he developed a cough at his residence and sought medical attention at a General Practitioner clinic the next day. He was given two days of medical leave from 24 April to 25 April, and 26 April was his day off. The officer developed a fever, anosmia and body aches, at his residence on 26 April and sought medical treatment at Tan Tock Seng Hospital the next day. A swab test was administered, which indicated that he was positive for COVID-19. He was then placed in isolation at NCID. His serology test result is negative.

3.         The officer is a Deputy Team Leader at Changi Airport deployed at the Duty Officer Counter, processing arrival clearance for travellers at Terminal 1. He had earlier registered to be vaccinated, but was advised by the doctor that he was not eligible due to his drug allergy.

Actions Taken Following Confirmation

4.         ICA is assisting MOH with contact tracing efforts. 32 ICA officers who were deployed at Changi Airport have been identified to have been in close contact with the affected officer and have since been placed under Quarantine Order. In addition, about 100 ICA officers who were deployed at Changi Airport Terminal 1 will be tested for COVID-19 as a precaution.

5.         ICA also worked with the Changi Airport Group (CAG) to ensure that the common and staff areas that the officer would have come into contact with have been disinfected thoroughly, in accordance with NEA’s guidelines for environmental cleaning and disinfection of areas exposed to confirmed case(s) of COVID-19. This included areas such as the immigration counters, immigration offices, pantries and toilets.

6.         Meanwhile, ICA is closely monitoring the condition of the affected officer as well as the health status of ICA officers deployed at Changi Airport.

Precautionary Measures Taken Before Confirmed COVID-19 Case of ICA Officer

7.         The majority of the jobs in ICA are at the frontline. As such, ICA officers, regardless of whether they are vaccinated, have to be rostered for frontline deployment. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in January 2020, ICA has implemented precautionary measures at the checkpoints and have been constantly reviewing these measures as the situation evolves. These measures are developed in consultation with MOH, such as the appropriate protective gears based on the nature of their tasks/jobs, safe management measures, and frequent cleaning of the checkpoint premises and immigration clearance counters. The officers are also subjected to a regular routine testing regime. ICA will continue to review and update our safety measures in accordance with MOH guidelines.

8.         Since January 2021, ICA officers who are medically eligible have been strongly encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their loved ones and their colleagues. As of 1 April 2021, 92 percent of ICA officers deployed at Changi Airport have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
29 APRIL 2021