Major airports in Southeast Asia have reintroduced thermal scanning and enhanced health checks for arriving travellers as part of a coordinated public health response to recent infectious disease concerns.

Authorities in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and neighbouring countries have stepped up screening measures, including thermal scanning and mandatory health declarations for certain international arrivals, aiming to detect symptomatic passengers early and safeguard public health.

Singapore’s health and aviation authorities have implemented temperature screening at Changi and other key airports for flights arriving from areas of concern, as part of efforts to strengthen surveillance and traveller safety.

Passengers arriving from designated regions are subject to thermal scanning and visual assessment, supported by health declaration requirements and guidance on reporting symptoms during travel.

In Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health and airport officials have reinstated thermal scanning at major international gateways, including Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, for arrivals from areas associated with higher infectious risk.

Travellers are also required to complete health declarations before immigration, and authorities have set up designated screening stations to monitor passengers’ compliance and identify individuals with elevated body temperatures.

Early screening operations have covered more than one thousand seven hundred passengers arriving from specific cities, with no confirmed cases detected to date.

Malaysia and other regional partners have similarly enhanced health screening procedures, deploying thermal scanners at entry points and augmenting visual assessment protocols for arriving passengers.

These steps are part of broader precautionary measures that include intensified health alerts and guidance for travellers to be vigilant about symptoms and seek medical attention if needed.

The reintroduction of thermal imaging and health checks underscores Southeast Asian countries’ commitment to strengthening border health security and protecting communities while facilitating safe air travel in an era of evolving global health challenges.

Officials emphasise that these measures are precautionary and integrated within wider public health surveillance systems, aiming to detect potential fever and other visible signs of illness early in the travel process.

Enhanced measures reflect lessons learned from previous regional health events and align with ongoing efforts to fortify health infrastructure at international ports of entry, ensuring that airports remain vigilant and responsive to emerging health threats.