Aviation
Commercial /
Europe
Against Covid
EASA and ECDC update health security protocol
Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
Gabriela Ramos
7/3/2021
Recently, a new Aviation Safety and Health Protocol (AHSP) has been issued by EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) and ECDC (European Center for Disease Prevention and Control), providing new risk-based operational recommendations and guidance health and safety of flights, complementing European Union initiatives. The document will provide support to Member State authorities and aviation stakeholders.
The new guidelines are based on new information and scientific evidence about the virus, such as variant circulation and vaccination programs. In addition, the need to maintain non-pharmaceutical measures is also reinforced, that is, the use of masks, social distance and hygiene measures.
EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky says: “We have reached a significant milestone in the pandemic: a real change in approach that can allow travelers to fly again without worrying excessively that the rules may change in a short time, complicating their journey. trip or making it impossible. Industry – and passengers – have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Thanks to the epidemiological input of ECDC experts, we are confident that this protocol offers practical and pragmatic guidelines for safe travel for health.”
Under the new protocol, people who have already been fully immunized against Covid-19 or who have recovered from the infection in the past 180 days do not need to undergo quarantine or testing, unless they come from high-risk regions or where there is the circulation of new variants.
For travelers coming from these higher-risk locations, submitting a negative test result and using passenger tracking forms are recommended to facilitate contact tracking.
The physical distance of at least one meter must still be maintained, as well as the use of masks and gel alcohol and other hygiene measures during all stages of the trip. These measures are recommended for flights within the European Union and for travel to and from third countries.
Andrea Ammon, ECDC Director, says, “Fortunately, the launch of the COVID-19 vaccination programs has allowed for the relaxation of some measures for fully vaccinated travelers. But if the measures are relaxed too soon for unvaccinated people, we could see a rapid increase in cases again. This is based on current scientific evidence, as well as ECDC modeling predictions, which take into account the gradual relaxation of non-pharmaceutical measures, the circulation of worrying variants, and the launch of vaccination programs. To effectively control community transmission of the virus, we need to continue to roll out vaccinations and be careful until a sufficient proportion of the European population has received their vaccine.”
In addition, the need to avoid queues and crowding during airport processes is also highlighted, and it is recommended that the information be checked once each trip, preferably before arriving at the departure airport.
It is expected that European countries will adopt the recommendations set out in the document, in order to help a safe recovery of the aviation and tourism sectors.
Six aviation associations praised the protocol update. They are: Airlines for Europe (A4E), Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe), Aerospace and Defense Industries Association of Europe (ASD), Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO), European Regions Airline Association (ERA) and International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The six associations released a joint statement, which stated: “The protection of public health, including that of our personnel and our passengers, continues to be aviation's number one priority during this pandemic. Following successful vaccination programs across Europe and an improved epidemiological perspective, these updated guidelines are very timely and will help ensure a smooth and safe journey for passengers. We are counting on EU Member States now to play their part and update existing measures accordingly, so passengers know what to expect. This is crucially important to restoring passenger confidence and helping our industry to recover.”
Fusion Medical Animation/Unsplash
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Gabriela Ramos
Gabriela is the latest addition to the editorial team of our website, having provided us with her solid background in editing, publishing and photography, and her interest and training in aviation history and historiography. His good taste and common sense and great cleverness and sagacity in the selection of themes and materials greatly enriched our vocabulary and narrative style. Gabriela brought unusual predicates and came to stay, helping to point the way of success of our portal.
   
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