SINGAPORE: Two travellers who flew from Singapore to Sydney on Sunday (Nov 28) have been confirmed to have been infected with the new Omicron COVID-19 variant, said New South Wales health ministry (NSW Health) on Monday.
"Both passengers arrived in Sydney from southern Africa on Singapore Airlines flight SQ211," said NSW Health in a media release.
They were both fully vaccinated and isolating in special health accommodation, it added.
"Everyone on the flight is considered a close contact and will need to get tested immediately for COVID-19 and isolate for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status," said the health authority.
It said that it would contact all passengers and flight crew to let them know about the isolation requirements.
Australia opened its borders to vaccinated Singaporeans on Nov 21, after Singapore extended its vaccinated travel lane scheme to Australia earlier this month.
On Saturday, New South Wales authorities said that from Sunday, all overseas arrivals must self-isolate for at least three days .
Australia on Monday halted plans to reopen its international borders to skilled workers and students, prompted by concerns over the new Omicron variant. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Dec 1 reopening will be delayed at least two weeks.
All travellers arriving in New South Wales who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, and the Seychelles during the 14-day period before their arrival must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, said the authorities.
There are now four confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in New South Wales.
CNA has contacted Singapore's Ministry of Health, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Singapore Airlines for more information.
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"Both passengers arrived in Sydney from southern Africa on Singapore Airlines flight SQ211," said NSW Health in a media release.
They were both fully vaccinated and isolating in special health accommodation, it added.
"Everyone on the flight is considered a close contact and will need to get tested immediately for COVID-19 and isolate for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status," said the health authority.
It said that it would contact all passengers and flight crew to let them know about the isolation requirements.
Australia opened its borders to vaccinated Singaporeans on Nov 21, after Singapore extended its vaccinated travel lane scheme to Australia earlier this month.
On Saturday, New South Wales authorities said that from Sunday, all overseas arrivals must self-isolate for at least three days .
Related:
Australia on Monday halted plans to reopen its international borders to skilled workers and students, prompted by concerns over the new Omicron variant. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Dec 1 reopening will be delayed at least two weeks.
All travellers arriving in New South Wales who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, and the Seychelles during the 14-day period before their arrival must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, said the authorities.
There are now four confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in New South Wales.
CNA has contacted Singapore's Ministry of Health, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Singapore Airlines for more information.
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Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
Continue reading...