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The number of
COVID-19 cases in China is currently very high, although reliable data is not
available. Several countries are taking travel-related measures, such as
random testing at airports or requesting a negative COVID-19 test or a
vaccination certificate.
The European
Commission formulates recommendations to EU/EEA travellers with China as
destination, as well as travellers entering the EU/EEA from China. It also
reminds airport and airline staff of self-protection guidelines published by
the ECDC (the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) and the
EASA (the European Union Aviation Safety Agency).
Directives and recommendations to EU/EEA travellers travelling
to China
- Travellers
are urged to exercise caution if travelling to any regions globally that
are experiencing high rates of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, as this could
increase the risk of infection, and additionally could hinder access to
healthcare services abroad should the need arise. Travellers should
check that their health insurance provides full coverage in the
destination country.
- Prior
to departure, all travellers should ensure that they have received the
full course of COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses, and are
generally up to date with all vaccines in accordance to their national
vaccination programmes.
- During
travel, medical face masks are among the most efficient means to prevent
the transmission of SARS-COV-2. As such, the wearing of masks should be
considered in crowded indoor and outdoor settings, including during air
travel.
- It is
recommended that vulnerable passengers continue to wear a face mask
regardless of the rules, ideally an FFP2/N95/KN95 type mask, which
offers a higher level of protection than a standard surgical mask.
People with respiratory symptoms (coughing or sneezing) are strongly
recommended to wear a medical face mask irrespective of the requirements
on that particular flight.
- All
citizens generally, should be encouraged to stay home when ill; practice
good hand and respiratory hygiene, including appropriate use of face
masks; and minimise exposure to crowded public spaces, including public
transportation, particularly for vulnerable persons, to reduce the
spread of and exposure to respiratory viruses.
Directives and recommendations to travellers travelling to the
EU/EEA from China
- All
travellers should be aware of entry requirements at transfer and
destination airports, such as whether the provision of COVID-19 test
results or documentation of vaccination status is required.
- Travellers
should be made aware that in some EU/EEA countries there are severe
pressures on health systems currently due to several infectious disease
outbreaks, and that this may have an impact on availability of care for
both citizens and travellers visiting the EU/EEA.
- During
travel, medical face masks are among the most efficient means to prevent
the transmission of SARS-COV-2. As such, the wearing of masks should be
considered in crowded indoor and outdoor settings, including during air
travel.
- Vulnerable
passengers are urged to continue to wear a face mask regardless of the
regulations, ideally an FFP2/N95/KN95 type mask which offers a higher
level of protection than a standard surgical mask. People with
respiratory symptoms (coughing or sneezing) are strongly recommended to
wear a medical face mask irrespective of the requirements on that
particular flight.
- Due
to ongoing high levels of circulation of respiratory viruses in the EU/EEA, including RSV,
SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, all travellers coming to Europe, and all
citizens generally, should be encouraged to stay home when ill; practice
good hand and respiratory hygiene, including appropriate use of face
masks; and minimise exposure to crowded public spaces, including public
transportation, particularly for vulnerable persons, to reduce the
spread of and exposure to respiratory viruses.
Directives and recommendations to airport and airline staff
regarding self-protection
ECDC and EASA have published
the COVID-19 Aviation Health Safety Protocol, and its annex, as well as the guidance in this document
remains valid and should be applied by EU/EEA countries in a risk based
approach. As concerns staff self-protection, ECDC reiterates the following
concerning vaccination and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Vaccination
Aircraft and airport operators,
either individually or via their representation bodies, and in coordination
with the relevant public health authorities, should continue to inform their
staff members of the advantages of COVID-19 vaccination, especially the high
effectiveness in preventing severe infection and death. Vaccination against
SARS-CoV-2 reduces the risk for them, for their family members and for the
people traveling who, for health reasons, may not be able to receive the
vaccine or have deficient immune response. Where the national legal framework
allows, operators could also consider developing a strategy for vaccination
for all eligible staff members
PPE (personal protective equipment)
Airport operators, aircraft
operators and service providers/suppliers should provide the necessary PPE to
their staff members and ensure that they are trained in its appropriate use:
- Staff
members who interact with passengers directly (e.g. cabin crew members,
security check agents, assistants for passengers with reduced mobility,
cleaning staff, etc.) should be encouraged to properly wear a medical
face mask or, where available and the legal framework permits, a
higher-standard face mask (e.g. FFP2/N95/KN95 respirators).
- Staff
should be encouraged to practise respiratory hygiene at all times as
well as frequent hand hygiene, either by appropriate hand-washing or by
applying an alcohol-based hand disinfectant. The use of a protective
gown or a one-use plastic apron can be considered for tasks that may
expose staff to splashes
- Flight
crew members should be encouraged to wear a face mask whenever
interacting with, or in the proximity of, other people. Once they are in
the flight compartment and the door is closed, flight crew members may
remove their masks subject to their operator’s policy and mutual agreement
[note: this recommendation could temporarily be reconsidered].
Furthermore, the flight’s crew members should remove their masks for
emergency situations and whenever requested by appropriate authorities
for official purposes such as identification or alcohol testing.
- Aircraft
operators should have on board one or more Universal Precaution Kits
(UPKs). Such kits should be used by crew members who are assisting
passengers with COVID-19-compatible symptoms and in cleaning up and
correctly discarding any potentially infectious contents.
(AP)
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