Sniffing out COVID-19

Drivers crossing into Singapore at the Tuas Checkpoint have always had to show their passports or work visas. Since May, however, the 200,000 daily travelers have also had to provide a different kind of information: the molecular makeup of their breath. Each driver rolls down their window and exhales into a large, disposable, cigar-sized mouthpiece connected to a mass spectrometer. In less than 6o s, their breath sample is analyzed to determine whether they have COVID-19.

Automated summary

Since May, travelers crossing into Singapore at the Tuas Checkpoint have been required to provide the molecular makeup of their breath for COVID-19 testing, in addition to showing their passports or work visas.