Travel Industry News at TravelNewsAsia.com since 1997. Interviews, podcasts, videos, pictures and more
Thu, 25 June 2020

IATA Urges Governments Not To Implement Quarantine Measures

IATA has urged governments to avoid quarantine measures when re-opening their economies.

Instead, IATA is promoting a layered approach of measures to reduce the risk of countries importing COVID19 via air travel and to mitigate the possibility of transmission in cases where people may travel while unknowingly being infected.

“Imposing quarantine measures on arriving travelers keeps countries in isolation and the travel and tourism sector in lockdown,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO. “Fortunately, there are policy alternatives that can reduce the risk of importing COVID19 infections while still allowing for the resumption of travel and tourism that are vital to jumpstarting national economies. We are proposing a framework with layers of protection to keep sick people from traveling and to mitigate the risk of transmission should a traveler discover they were infected after arrival.”

Arrivals sign at Changi Airport in Singapore. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com Click to enlarge.

IATA encourages a layering of bio-safety measures in two areas:

Reducing the risk of imported cases via travelers:

- Discouraging symptomatic passengers from traveling. It is important that passengers do not travel when ill. To encourage passengers to “do the right thing” and stay home if they are unwell or potentially exposed, airlines are offering travelers flexibility in adjusting their bookings.

- Public health risk mitigation measures. IATA supports health screening by governments in the form of health declarations. To avoid privacy issues and cut the risk of infection with paper documents, standardized contactless electronic declarations via government web portals or government mobile applications are recommended.

Health screening using measures such as non-intrusive temperature checks can also play an important role. Although temperature checks are not the most effective screening method for COVID19 symptoms, they can act as a deterrent to traveling while unwell. Temperature checks can also shore-up passenger confidence: in a recent IATA survey of travelers, 80% indicated that temperature checks make them feel safer when traveling.

- COVID19 testing for travelers from countries perceived to be “higher-risk”. When accepting travelers from countries where the rate of new infections is significantly higher, the arrival authority could consider COVID19 testing. It is recommended that tests are undertaken prior to arrival at the departure airport (so as not to add to airport congestion and avoid the potential for contagion in the travel process) with documentation to prove a negative result. Tests would need to be widely available and highly accurate, with results delivered quickly. Test data would need to be independently validated so as to be mutually recognized by governments and securely transmitted to the relevant authorities. Testing should be for active virus (polymerase chain reaction or PCR) rather than for antibodies or antigens.

Mitigating Risk in Cases Where an Infected Person Does Travel

- Reducing the risk of transmission during the air travel journey. IATA encourages the universal implementation of the Take-Off guidelines published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Take-Off is a temporary risk-based and multi-layered approach to mitigate the risks of transmitting COVID19 during air travel. The comprehensive Take-Off guidelines are closely aligned with the recommendations of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These include mask wearing throughout the travel process, sanitization, health declarations and social distancing where possible.

- Contact tracing. This is the back-up measure, should someone be detected as infected after arrival. Rapid identification and isolation of contacts contains the risk without large-scale economic or social disruption. New mobile technology has the potential to automate part of the contact-tracing process, provided privacy concerns can be addressed.

- Reducing risk of transmission at destination. Governments are taking measures to limit the spread of the virus in their territory that will also mitigate the risk from travelers. In addition, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travel protocols provide a pragmatic approach for the hospitality sector to enable safe tourism and restore traveler confidence. Areas of the industry covered by the protocols include hospitality, attractions, retail, tour operators, and meeting planners.

“Safely restarting the economy is a priority. That includes travel and tourism,” said de Juniac. “Quarantine measures may play a role in keeping people safe, but they will also keep many unemployed. The alternative is to reduce risks through a series of measures. Airlines are already offering flexibility so there is no incentive for sick or at-risk people to travel. Health declarations, screening and testing by governments will add extra layers of protection. And if someone travels while infected, we can reduce the risk of transmission with protocols to prevent the spread during travel or when at destination. And effective contact tracing can isolate those most at risk without major disruptions.”

There are some hurdles to being able to implement the full suite of measures.

“Data transmission, required for health declarations, testing and tracing, raises privacy concerns. And mutually recognized standards would be needed for testing. Governments have a common interest in finding solutions. The rapid agreement by governments to ICAO’s Take-Off guidelines demonstrates that progress on complex issues is possible where there is the political will to do so,” said de Juniac.

There is every economic incentive to make a layered approach work. WTTC estimates that travel and tourism accounts for 10.3% of global GDP and 300 million jobs globally (direct, indirect and induced economic impact).

Mandatory quarantine measures stop people from traveling. Recent public opinion research revealed that 83% of travelers would not even consider traveling if quarantine measures were imposed on travelers at their destination. And analysis of trends during the lockdown period shows that countries imposing quarantine saw arrivals decrease by more than 90%—an outcome that is similar to countries that banned foreign arrivals.

“A layered approach to safety has made flying the safest way to travel while still enabling the system to function efficiently. That should be an inspirational framework to guide governments in protecting their citizens from the terrible risks of both the virus and joblessness. Quarantine is a lop-sided solution that protects one and absolutely fails at the other. We need government leadership to deliver a balanced protection,” said de Juniac.

See latest Travel News, Video Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: COVID19, IATA, Quarantine.

Headlines: AirAsia Cambodia Prepares for Take Off  Alex Schellenberger Joins Mandarin Oriental as Senior Vice President Brand  Ethiopian Airlines Opens E-Commerce Logistics Facility at Bole Addis Ababa Airport  Routes Americas 2024 Taking Place in Bogota, Colombia  Air Botswana Appoints APG as GSA in 16 Markets  Korean Air to Resume More Flights; Increase Services to Select Destinations  WestJet Appoints APG as Representative in South Korea; Airline to Launch YYC-ICN Flights in May  Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Opens in Fukui, Japan  Rolls-Royce to Expand Engine Build and Services Capacity in UK and Germany  United Airlines to Launch Los Angeles - Shanghai Flights; Increase LAX - HKG Service  Nine Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia  AirAsia X Launches Direct Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty, Kazakhstan  Singapore Airlines Revamps Premium Economy Class with New Menu and Amenity Kit  Amadeus Completes Acquisition of Voxel  Minor to Rebrand NH Museum Quarter Hotel in Amsterdam, Netherlands  U-Tapao Airport (UTP) in Rayong / Pattaya, Thailand - HD Video Interview with Ampika Chadawong  IndiGo to Launch Flights Between Mumbai and Colombo, Sri Lanka  Perth Airport (PER) in Western Australia - HD Video Interview with Stephanie Juszkiewicz  China Airlines to Launch Flights Between Taipei and Seattle, USA  TUMI Launches Capsule Collection in Partnership with NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team  AirAsia Malaysia to Resume Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Pattaya, Thailand  Thai Airways to Launch Flights from Bangkok to Colombo, Kochi and Perth  Munich Airport (MUC) in Bavaria, Germany - HD Video Interview with Michael Haeffner  Japan Tourism, World Expo 2025 and Japan Expo 2025 - HD Video Interview with Akira Watabe of JNTO  BBN Airlines Indonesia Receives Additional AOC from DGCA  Vietnam Airlines to Launch Flights from HAN and SGN to Munich Airport in Bavaria, Germany  Sabre Launches Booking Solution for New and Independent Travel Consultants  AirAsia Malaysia Launches A321neo Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Perth, Australia  Saudi Arabia's Air Connectivity Program - HD Video Interview with Rashed Alshammari, Vice President Commercial  Lui Chong Chee to Succeed Bob Tan as Chairman of the Boards of CapitaLand Ascott Trust  Sabah Tourism Board - HD Video Interview with Julinus Jeffery Jimit, Chief Executive Officer  Berlin Airport (BER) - HD Video Interview with Simon Miller, Senior Manager Market Intelligence  IndiGo to Launch Flights Between Chandigarh and Dharamshala, India  Skyco Partners Airbus; Orders Six H175 Helicopters  Jumeirah Appoints Michael Grieve as Chief Brand Officer  Cam Ranh Airport (CXR) in Nha Trang, Vietnam - HD Video Interview with Le Thi Hong Minh  Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang - HD Video Interview with Hotel GM, Jasmine Keh  Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh Appoints Lenen Mar Porras as ADOSM  United Confirms Flights to Cebu, Philippines as Airline Expands Network  Jumeirah Soft Opens First Hotel in Saudi Arabia  IHG Signs Two Luxury Hotels in KAFD Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Qatar Airways' NDC Content Now Available on Travelport+  Estelle Vassallo Moves to Italy as GM of Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel  Aviation: International RPK Up 20.8% in January 2024  Amora Completes Refurbishment and Rebranding of Hotel in Brisbane, Australia  Scoot Unveils Embraer E190-E2 Routes  IndiGo to Launch Flights from Jagdalpur to Hyderabad and Raipur  Jazeera Airways Appoints Barathan Pasupathi as CEO  Marriott Signs Le Meridien Hotel in Zanzibar  IATA Reports Air Cargo Data for January 2024  BFS Receives GDP Certification for Dedicated Pharma Handling Facility at BKK  Solomon Islands Welcomed 26,036 Visitors in 2023; Positive Outlook for 2024  Vietjet Signs MOU with Airbus for 20 A330-900 Aircraft  Hong Kong Airport Reports January 2024 Passenger and Cargo Numbers  Malaysia Aviation Group Becomes Official Airline Partner of MATTA Fair 2024  AirAsia Malaysia Launches Flights Between Kota Kinabalu and Shanghai, China  Taiwan's Starlux Airlines Orders Five Airbus A350 Freighters and Three A330neos  United Airlines to Resume Flights to Tel Aviv, Israel  Hahnair Appoints Stephen Chung as Regional Vice President Asia Pacific  Korean Air Cargo Expands Partnership with Vienna Airport  IndiGo to Launch Daily Flights Between Bengaluru and Bali, Indonesia  Thai Airways Confirms Boeing 787-9 Order  SkyScape Becomes Eve Air Mobility's First Urban ATM Customer in Japan  Royal Brunei Airlines Orders Four Boeing 787-9 Aircraft  TransNusa Airlines Rebranding as a Premium Service Carrier  Moxy Hotel Opens in Bangkok, Thailand  Peninsula Bangkok Appoints Masahisa Oba as Managing Director  Silk Avia Takes Delivery of First New ATR 72-600 Turboprop Aircraft in Central Asia  Korean Air to Enhance Retailing Strategy with Accelya's FLX Platform  Rohit Pandey Returns to Minor as GM of the Anantara Jaipur Hotel  Marriott Soft Opens First Moxy Hotel in Malaysia  AirAsia X to Launch Flights Between Kuala Lumpur and Almaty, Kazakhstan on 14 March  Malaysia Airlines Opens Ticketing Outlet at Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya  Marriott Expands Apartments with Properties Signed in Italy, USA and Saudi Arabia  Stockholders of Hawaiian Holdings Vote to Adopt Merger Agreement with Alaska Airlines  Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2024 Opens Online Registration for Buyers and Sellers  Lore Group's Five Design-Led Hotels Join Global Hotel Alliance  Hilton Partners Small Luxury Hotels of the World  British Airways Using E-Logs Platform to Predict and Enhance Aircraft Maintenance Issues  Surf Air Mobility Secures Early Delivery Positions for 90 Electra eSTOL Aircraft  Nine Exclusive Video Interviews with VIPs at ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos  Thai Airways to Unveil Details of Boeing Aircraft Order at Singapore Air Show 2024  Hong Kong Reports Provisional Visitor Arrival Numbers for January 2024  Accor Hotels in New Zealand to Become Gold Standard Sustainable Tourism Businesses  American Express Opens World's Largest Centurion Lounge at ATL Airport in USA  Minor Hotels Reports Record Full Year Figures  Korean Air's Acquisition of Asiana Gets Conditional Clearance from European Commission  CapitaLand Establishes CLARA Fund II; Acquires Two lyf-Branded Properties as Seed Assets  ATR Receives B-Score from CDP Climate Change  Dassault to Showcase Falcon 6X and Falcon 2000LXS at the Singapore Air Show 2024  IHG's Expanding Hotel Portfolio in Vientiane - Interview with Murali Viswanathan, CGM  Settha Palace Hotel in Vientiane, Laos - Interview with Hala Krimi, General Manager  Vietjet Launches Flights Between Saigon and Chengdu, China  Inthira Vang Vieng Hotel in Laos - Interview with Charles-David Hay, General Manager  IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City Appoints Pranav Vohra as Cluster Commercial Director  S Vang Vieng Boutique Hotel in Laos - Interview with Sengnikone Bouphaphanh  Full Moon Island Resort in Kaoh Sdach, Cambodia - Interview with Indra Khanitha Lay Prohas  Jetstar Launches Flights from Brisbane to Osaka and Seoul  IHG to Expand Six Senses Brand to Kyoto, Japan  DiscoverLaos - HD Video Interview with Southisack Sayasavanh, Tours Director  Cosi Vientiane Nam Phu Hotel - Interview with Pasin Nopsuwan, General Manager  Hyatt Expands JdV Brand of Hotels to Goa, India  Thailand to See Increase in Chinese New Year Tourism Spend  Lao Airlines - Exclusive Video Interview with Chanthanon Khampheng at ATF 2024  Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort in Laos - Interview with Michelle Wang, Travel Director  Marriott Hotel Opens on Gurney Drive in Penang, Malaysia  Emirates to Increase Capacity on Flights to Osaka, Japan  Michelle Lee Joins Pullman Bangkok Hotel G as General Manager  Rosewood Makes Changes to Senior Management Team  Smiths Detection to Upgrade Security at Fukuoka Airport in Japan  Standard to Open Residences in Hua Hin and Phuket, Thailand; Video Interview with Amar Lalvani  AirAsia Indonesia Launches Flights Between Jakarta and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia  Philippine Airlines to Deploy Amadeus Traveler DNA  Mantra Club Croc Airlie Beach Completes A$8 Million Refurbishment of All 160 Guestrooms  Vietjet Wet Leases Two Aircraft to Meet Surge in Lunar New Year Travel Demand  Singapore Cruise Centre to Upgrade Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal  IHG Signs New-Build 150-Key Holiday Inn Hotel in Guwahati, India  Thai AirAsia Launches Flights from Bangkok (DMK) to Shanghai and Kaohsiung  TFE Signs New-Build Apartment Hotel in Brisbane, Australia  Ritz-Carlton Hotel Opens in Las Colinas Area of Dallas, USA  8 NTO Press Conferences from the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos  13 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from World Travel Market 2023 in London, England  5 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France  15 Exclusive HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye  Electric Airport Taxis at Almaty Airport in Kazakhstan - Video Interview with Co-Founder  Pictures from Miss International Queen 2023 Transgender Beauty Pageant in Pattaya, Thailand  Exclusive Video Interviews with 17 Miss International Queen 2023 Contestants  Living With One Eye - Six Years On by Steven Howard  HD Videos and Interviews  Podcasts from HD Video Interviews  RSS Feed - Travel Industry News  Ticker - Travel Industry News  Travel Industry News Archives  Travel Trade Shows  High-Res Picture Galleries  Travel News Asia - Latest Travel Industry News 

Subscribe to our Travel Industry News RSS Feed Travel Industry News RSS Feed from TravelNewsAsia.com. To do that in Outlook, right-click the RSS Feeds folder, select Add a New RSS Feed, enter the URL of our RSS Feed which is: https://www.travelnewsasia.com/travelnews.xml and click Add. The feed can also be used to add the headlines to your website or channel via a customisable applet. Have questions? Please read our Travel News FAQ. Thank you.

     
Advertising
Advertising
Copyright © 1997-2024 TravelNewsAsia.com