COVID-19 tests should not be a necessary condition for the reopening of borders or the resumption of air services.
Geneva:
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published criteria for the use of COVID-19 tests in the travel process.
If governments choose to introduce COVID-19 tests for travelers from countries considered to be at high risk, he said, the tests must produce results quickly, be scalable and work with very high accuracy rates. In addition, the tests must be cost-effective and not create economic or logistical barriers to travel.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has published take-off guidelines, which are the global guidelines that governments must follow to reconnect their populations and economies by air. Takeoff describes layers of measures to mitigate the risk of transmitting COVID-19 during air transportation and the risk of importing COVID-19 by air.
COVID-19 tests should not be a necessary condition for the reopening of borders or the resumption of air services.
Technology for rapid point of service polymer chain reaction (PCR) testing could be a useful protective layer for travelers from countries considered to be at higher risk, potentially eliminating the need for more restrictive and intrusive measures such as as quarantine, which is a major obstacle to travel and the resumption of demand.
“Airlines are committed to reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 by air and COVID-19 testing could play an important role,” said IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac.
“But it must be implemented in accordance with ICAO global restart guidelines in order to facilitate travel. Speed, scale and accuracy are the most critical performance criteria for tests to be effectively integrated in the travel process, “he said in a statement. .
IATA has stated that COVID-19 testing will ideally be required before arrival at the airport and within 24 hours of travel. Passengers arriving “ready to fly” reduce the risk of contagion at the airport and allow early rehousing for any traveler who tests positive.
If tests are required as part of the trip, they are recommended upon departure. Governments will need to mutually recognize test results and data transmission should take place directly between passengers and governments in the same way that electronic visa authorizations are currently processed.
Cost is an important consideration, said IATA. The tests should facilitate travel and not constitute an economic barrier. With tests in some European destinations costing more than $ 200, this is a real concern.
IATA has stated that it supports the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO) which oblige governments to bear the costs of mandatory health tests. When a test is offered on a voluntary basis, it should be billed at cost.
Ideally, the tests take place before the trip or at the point of departure and a positive result will mean that the passenger could not travel as planned. In this case, the airlines have offered flexibility to consumers. This includes rebooking or refunds according to the airline’s commercial policy.
Many airlines offer the same flexibility to passengers who suspect they have symptoms compatible with COVID-19 as well as members of the same travel group, especially when they are members of the same household.
If the tests are mandatory on arrival and a passenger is positive, said IATA, then the passenger should be treated in accordance with the requirements of the receiving State. Airlines should not be required to repatriate passenger (s) or be “punished” with financial sanctions such as fines or operational sanctions such as withdrawal of the right to operate in the market.
