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

Israeli attacks on Gaza killed 60 people in 24 hours

Israeli occupation forces committed multiple massacres against families in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, resulting in the killing of at least 60 Palestinians and the injury of 162 others, according to medical reports.
Trump fires National Security Agency director

U.S. President Donald Trump fired General Timothy Haugh as director of the National Security Agency on Thursday, according to two officials familiar with the decision, and congressional Democrats denounced the removal of the nonpartisan official from a top security post.
Israel steps up Syria strikes, says Turkey aims for 'protectorate'

Israel stepped up airstrikes on Syria, declaring the attacks a warning to the new rulers in Damascus as it accused their ally Turkey of trying to turn the country into a Turkish protectorate.
US sending Israel 20,000 assault rifles that Biden delayed

The Trump administration moved forward with the sale of more than 20,000 US-made assault rifles to Israel last month, according to a document seen by Reuters, pushing ahead with a sale that the administration of former president Joe Biden had delayed.