Should States dispense with the tests and quarantines imposed on air travellers in response to the Covid-19 pandemic? This is at least what is implied by an addendum from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to the Air Passenger Health Protocol drawn up by the two institutions last May (see EUROPE 12492/5, 12489/8).
Although dated 30 November, the addendum, of which EUROPE has obtained a copy, had not yet been officially published at the time of going to press.
The EASA and ECDC state that quarantine and screening of air travellers is not an effective public health measure to significantly reduce overall transmission of the virus in the general population, “except when a country has reduced transmission levels to close to zero”.
Therefore, in their view, there is no benefit to adopting these two measures when a voyage is from a low-risk area to a higher-risk area or between areas of similar risk.
On the other hand, when travel takes place from a very high-risk area or to a country that has achieved sustainable control of the virus, testing and quarantines are recommended.
The EASA and ECDC justify their reluctance to be tested by, among other things, assuring that the introduction of routine screening could “divert public health resources and laboratory capacity from essential public health activities”.
On the issue of quarantine, the document acknowledges that isolation for 14 days appears to be the most effective solution to reduce the risk of transmission by travellers, but regrets that this creates logistical and financial difficulties.
It also indicates that this measure is likely to affect the ability of travellers to work and provide for their families and may affect their mental health. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)