More than 10,000 workers in Singapore's wider shipping industry were vaccinated by the end of January, according to a statement from the Singapore Port Authority (MPA).
This vaccination program for first-line workers is part of Singapore's overall vaccination strategy. Under the Sea-Air Vaccination Exercise (SAVE), pilots, port workers, inspectors, and other boarding workers were vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of last month. "These people are boarding ships in our ports and coming into contact with people outside Singapore," the MPA said in a statement.
As a result of better protection against the pandemic offered by vaccines, shipping workers who are vaccinated will be subject to lower testing requirements.
"We rely heavily on front-line workers to transport the products we need every day, including food, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods," said Quah Ley Hoon, MPA chief executive. "Vaccination will give them an extra layer of protection and keep their families and the community safe."