IATA calls for mandatory COVID test before departure to restart international flights

IATA calls for mandatory COVID test before departure to restart international flights
# 23 September 2020 02:15 (UTC +04:00)

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called Tuesday (22 September) for universal “systematic” COVID-19 testing of all passengers before departure as a way to re-start the aviation industry that has suffered billions of dollars in losses as well as millions of jobs lost, APA reports citing Asianaviation.

IATA Director General Alexandre de Juniac said the association “did not come to this decision lightly” and it recognised universal testing “will present logistical challenges and will impact how people travel”, but said quarantines erected by various governments around the world are “killing the aviation industry”.

De Juniac also said the tests need to be able to be administered by non-medical personnel and governments around the world will need to accept standards like those set by the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) so that international travel can open up.

He added that surveys have shown that testing of all travellers will be accepted by the travelling public and said “the majority agreed they were willing to undergo testing as part of the travel process” and that universal testing will “boost passenger confidence by knowing everyone has been tested”.

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THE OPERATION IS BEING PERFORMED