The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate in cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) developed detailed safety requirements to be applied at national airports and on board of aircraft. These requirements are based on the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidelines. Their aim is to limit the risk of SARS-CoV-2 spread.
The European recommendations have been developed by experts from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and EASA. “Our priority was the health and safety of passengers at airports and on board of aircraft. We want the passengers to feel safe during air travel. Unified procedures are also to prevent aviation from being a source of renewed infection”, Mr. Piotr Samson, the President of the CAA said.
What is going to change at the airports?
Temperature measurement at the entrance to the terminal; access only for passengers with tickets; social distancing; obligation to wear face masks; limitation of use of airport services and facilities, e.g. smoking rooms, playgrounds – these are some of the new rules for passengers at Polish and European airports. An obligation to fill in a health statement according to the instructions of the air carrier is also a novelty.
Airports are to ensure access to disinfectants and vending machines with face masks. In order to limit a direct contact between passengers and airport personnel, e.g. at information stands, passport control or check in, protective screens will be installed in those places. The airport personnel will have protective equipment and the terminals will be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
What is going to change on board of aircraft?
The crew will be equipped with face masks and gloves for the flights. The passengers will be obliged to cover their mouth and nose during the whole flight. The on-board service will be limited in order to minimize a direct contact between the crew and passengers. Drinks and snacks will be served in individual wrappings. The passengers will be obliged to fill in the Passenger Locator Form before landing. “Only consistent application of the recommendations will make flying safe. Soon, we plan to conduct airport controls in order to check how the new requirements are executed. I appeal to passengers to follow the instructions of the airport personnel and the crew. I am convinced that due to the cooperation and mutual understanding the air travel will be smooth and quick”, President Samson adds.