Sydiongco

CAAP issues advisory for returning flight crews

February 18, 2022 Jun I. Legaspi 466 views

THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) quarantine protocols have now been further adjusted for flight and cabin crew members returning to the Philippines, including those with a layover in the country, based on Memorandum Circular 06-2022 and 07-2022, the agency reported.

In order to mitigate personnel shortages and avoid significant disruptions to the workforce and operations, flight and crew members are no longer required to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine but shall self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.

Air operators must ensure compliance with the relevant public health regulations, policies, and established measures.

Transportation must be arranged by the air operator between the aircraft and the crew’s hotel rooms while ensuring the observance of physical distancing and other health protocols.

For accommodation, only 1 crew member will be allowed to stay per hotel room, contact with other crew members is prohibited. Use of hotel common areas is also not allowed.

Suspected COVID-19 positive crew members and those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms during a layover or in transit must immediately report to the air operator and seek medical assessment for monitoring. They shall be repatriated by appropriate mode of transportation to their residence.

For crew members who have been found COVID-19 negative through evaluation in accordance with the said procedures, the air operator may arrange their transportation.

According to CAAP Director General Captain Jim Sydiongco, the said protocols have been established in response to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade’s directive to address the current insufficiency of manpower faced by local air operators due to the possibility of flight crew being exposed to COVID-19 positive individuals requiring quarantine.

For more information, kindly visit the CAAP website at http://www.caap.gov.ph/memorandum-circular-2022/ to download a full copy of Memorandum Circular 06-22 (Updated Protocols for Flight Crew Members) and Memorandum Circular 07-22 (Quarantine Protocols for Flight Crew Members).

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