Changi Airport is an important gateway connecting Singapore to the world and it is vital that the airport always remains operational, even with the evolving COVID-19 situation worldwide.

To ensure this, Changi Airport has stepped up measures to safeguard and protect the health of airport workers, passengers and visitors, including introducing new measures and cleaning techniques.

Increase in number of hand sanitisers

More than 1,200 hand sanitisers are now available for use across the whole airport and Jewel Changi Airport. A few hundred of these sanitisers use motion sensors, reducing the need for users to touch them.

Increased frequency in cleaning and disinfecting of high-contact areas

As part of the enhanced cleaning initiative at Changi Airport, the frequency of cleaning efforts in the four terminals and Jewel has at least doubled. In addition, disinfectants are now used instead of just general purpose cleaning solutions.

The focus of the extra cleaning and disinfecting is on areas frequently used, including door knobs and handles, touchscreens, handrails (e.g. on travellators, escalators), counter tops, railings at taxi and bus queues, lift buttons, water coolers and play areas. These are cleaned and disinfected more frequently, up to four times a day. Tables at F&B outlets are cleaned and disinfected each time they are cleared.

There has also been an increase in the frequency of toilet cleaning, emptying of bins and wiping of sinks and counter tops across the airport and Jewel. Disinfectant is used for toilet flush buttons, door knobs, grab bars, toilet paper dispensers and seat sanitiser dispensers.

Coating frequently-touched surfaces with disinfectant

Touchscreen panels and other frequently-touched surfaces around the airport have been sprayed with an added protective disinfectant coating (quaternary ammonium chloride). With a single application, the compound used reduces the chances of viruses and bacteria staying on them for up to six months. Tested and approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the compound is eco-friendly and safe.

Surfaces which have been treated with this coating include automated check-in kiosks and automated bag-drop machines, GST refund kiosks, immigration counters, lift buttons, escalator and travellator handrails, information counters and trolley handles. The attractions at Jewel’s Canopy Park, such as the Discovery Slides, have also been similarly coated.

Cleaning with ozone-infused water

Changi Airport is using, for the first time, ozone-infused water to disinfect toilet floors, toilet bowls and urinals in high-usage toilets. Ozone-infused water is a strong cleaner and disinfectant. Compared to chlorine, the most common liquid disinfectant chemical, ozone is a much stronger and faster disinfectant in destroying viruses and bacteria.

Increased disinfection of floors and cleaning of carpets

A total of 26 automated cleaning machines make their rounds in Changi Airport scrubbing the hard floors while another two sweep the carpets daily. For more thorough cleaning, disinfectant is added to the machines scrubbing the hard floors.

The carpets in the Departure Transit Hall are thoroughly vacuumed at least three times a week. Disinfectant is also applied after the vacuuming. This is supplemented by daily area vacuuming of high-traffic areas.

Temperature screening of passengers and staff as Changi Airport remains vigilant

Passengers on all arrival flights are subject to temperature screening. Guests entering Jewel’s Canopy Park, Changi Experience Studio, Changi Lounge, Shaw Theatre and YotelAir Singapore Changi Airport will also be screened.

For airport staff and visitors entering Changi Airport’s transit areas, they will need undergo temperature screening as well. Airport staff are encouraged to observe good personal hygiene, take their own temperature twice a day and seek medical attention promptly if they feel unwell.