The year 2020 was full of ups and downs – the only great thing that happened last year was that the world got the first covid-19 vaccine. Pfizer vaccine which was rolled out in the UK last year is now widely available in various countries. And now in 2021, Singapore Airlines is hoping to become the world’s first airline to get all of its crew members vaccinated against covid-19. Read on to know more.
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Around 5,200 Employees Of Singapore Airlines Have Signed Up For The Vaccine
In a conversation with CNN travel, Singapore Airlines said that all their members including pilots, gate agents, flight attendants and anyone whose job requires contact with the public would receive the vaccine free of cost by the Singaporean government. The airline’s CEO, Goh Choon Phong, said in a statement,
“We are grateful to the Singapore government for making the aviation sector a priority in the country’s vaccination exercise. This reflects the sector’s importance and the crucial role we play in both Singapore’s economic recovery and the fight against the pandemic.”
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Singapore Government Will Pay For The Vaccine For The Employees
The airline further states that around 5,200 employees have already signed up for the vaccine. And the vaccination drive will begin in a few days. When it comes to receiving a vaccine, CEO Phong alongside Singapore’s transport minister Ong Ye Kung was among the first citizens to get a jab. He has received the first of his two shots and reports that the procedure was painless and fuss-free.
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The aim behind vaccinating the crew is that once vaccinated- they will be subjected to less scrutiny and fewer coronavirus-related security measures. In terms of the coronavirus, Singapore has had 59,113 confirmed cases of the virus. And for deaths, only 29 people have died so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Also, the annual Henley Passport Index ranked Singapore second in the world for passport power. Singaporeans can enter 190 countries or territories around the world without needing a visa.