Call for removal of blanket quarantine regulations in air traffic

©Maxim Blinkov via 123RF

In this respect, Barig refers to the most recent research results of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), among others, both of which are agencies of the European Union.

Research points to low risk for Covid-19 transmission inflight

15 Oct 2020

In their latest guidelines on Covid-19 testing and quarantine regulations for air passengers, ECDC and EASA consider the countries’ quarantine regulations to be ineffective and inappropriate within the current epidemiological situation. Instead, both agencies confirm that air passengers account for less than 1% of Covid-19 cases worldwide, indicating that they do not constitute a contributory factor to increased infection rates.

Accordingly, quarantine measures for incoming passengers are only appropriate in rare cases.

Michael Hoppe, Barig secretary-general, says: "With the ongoing pandemic we are in a very exceptional situation. Now it is imperative to stay on top of things and to consult independent experts such as the specialists from ECDC and EASA, incorporate their insights and also implement their recommendations promptly and effectively. The current general quarantine regulations in air traffic are mere political actionism, not useful in managing the pandemic. The blanket quarantine regulations must, therefore, be eliminated with immediate effect."

Hoppe calls for appropriate, joint action by the governments of the EU countries, the European Economic Area, and the United Kingdom. Instead of generalised, precautionary blanket quarantine regulations in combination with broad and rigorous travel restrictions, and proposes the establishment of safe travel corridors, for example, between Germany and North America, as well as enhanced rapid test procedures at airports.