Singapore (VNA) - Singapore will gradually allow travellers to transit through its Changi Airport from June 2, as the country is preparing to ease some COVID-19 restrictions and reopen its borders, announced the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on May 20.

Currently, foreign passengers are only allowed to transit through Singapore if they are on repatriation flights arranged by their governments. 

The CAAS said that airlines should submit their proposals for transfer lanes through Changi Airport, adding that the proposals will be evaluated taking into account aviation safety, public health considerations, as well as the health of passengers and air crew.

Stringent measures will be put in place to ensure that the passengers remain in designated facilities in the transit area and do not mix with others at the airport.  

Existing precautionary measures, such as safe distancing and temperature taking for passengers and staff, will continue to be enforced, said the authority.

Airport staff will also be required to wear personal protective equipment when interacting with passengers.

Singapore has closed its borders to all short-term travellers since March 23, even to those transit through the country, as the government took control measures to prevent imported COVID-19 cases.

This has dealt a blow to the country’s aviation and tourism sectors. Changi Airport saw a 99.5 percent decline in passenger movements in April compared to last year’s 5.58 million passengers per month./.