Rigorous testing may replace 14-day isolation for air travellers: Singapore

Transport minister Ong Ye Kung said steps are needed to revive Singapore's status as a global air hub

Singapore may have to consider replacing its existing two-week isolation period norm for all arriving air travelers with a rigorous testing regime to simultaneously control the spread of the coronavirus and revive its status as a global air hub, a senior minister said on Friday.

In a Facebook video, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said Singapore airport currently ranks 50th globally in terms of air traffic, with just 150 aircraft movements per day, compared to its 7th position with more than 1,000 flights a day prior to the outbreak of the pandemic.

"Serving 14 days isolation is a major deterrent to travellers,