Covid Breathalyzer Pilot at Singapore Changi Potential Game Changer for Travel Industry
In a potential game-changer for the travel industry, Changi Airport in Singapore is to trial a Covid-19 breath analyser at T1. Samples from volunteer passengers will be compared against existing PCR tests, to determine its effectiveness in detecting infections. Breathalyzer results show in 2-minutes or less.
Developed by two local universities, one device trial achieved at least 90% accuracy after screening participants for just 60 seconds. The technology could help Changi better manage passenger flow.
At airports around the world which have introduced on-site PCR tests, passengers at times wait several hours for results in order to be cleared.
The innovation is another example of how Singapore would dominate the podium if it were in a race to crush Covid-19. Last fall, Changi was rated the safest across 200+ airports evaluated by Safe Travel Barometer in its pandemic response.
The Southeast Asian city state has also pioneered groundbreaking practices in contact tracing, quarantines, lockdowns and monitoring to stem the spread of Covid-19.
