KLM Royal Dutch Airlines last month alleged that one of its flight attendants was arrested in Singapore for violating local regulations on COVID-19 after he was found to have left his hotel room.
Cabin crew are ferried straight from the airport to the hotel upon arriving in Singapore. They are required to remain in their hotel room for the entire period between arrival and departure. They are also briefed on local COVID-19 regulations prior to embarkation.
The above also applies to KLM staff on layovers in Singapore, even if they stay for several nights.
Dutch news portal NH Nieuws reported that the flight attendant, however, went to the hotel lobby at one point during the period.
It was unclear to NH Nieuws as to what the purpose behind the KLM steward going down to the lobby was, and it was not evident if he was actually unaware that he was not allowed to do so.
KLM told NH Nieuws that a member of the KLM crew had “violated local corona quarantine rules by temporarily leaving his hotel room without permission” on 14 November.
The airline added that it will not be making any further announcements or comments on the matter.
According to NH Nieuws, the KLM flight attendant is reportedly still in police custody.
Commenters, believed to be cabin crew members, pointed out that the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Changi Airport — where cabin crew is believed to be put up during their layovers — have a policy that allows cabin crew to access the lounge for up to an hour with prior booking and adhering to social distancing regulations while in the lounge.
Another commenter, however, pointed out that cabin crew are not allowed to leave their hotel rooms.
Another commenter, also a cabin crew member, said that cabin crew members are allowed to spend up to two hours in the lounge as of August or September.
Another commenter pointed out that it is likely that the KLM flight attendant who was allegedly arrested did not make a booking prior to entering the lounge.
