ICAO Anti-SARS Protective Measures for Airports

The battle to control the spread of SARS took an important step forward on June 4 when the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) agreed on guidance for airports.

The guidelines were established at a meeting hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) with participants from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as well as high ranking public health officials from Singapore.

Over the past two months, IATA has advocated standardized screening procedures consistent with WHO guidelines at airports in regions affected by SARS.

According to the June 4 ICAO press release, “Upon request, ICAO can make available a team of experts to evaluate the implementation by airports of the recommended measures, through the Organization’s Technical Cooperation Bureau. If the evaluation confirms that an airport has taken all necessary steps to protect against SARS, a “Statement of Evaluation” will  be issued, certifying that the airport fully complies with the recommended SARS protective measures, jointly developed by ICAO and WHO.”

IATA said it commends Singapore for its leadership in establishing this program. Thermal screening of passengers for elevated temperatures was first introduced at Singapore’s Changi Airport. This and other measures taken by Singapore have resulted in no new local transmissions in Singapore of SARS over a twenty day period—the WHO requirement for removal from the WHO SARS Affected Country list. Singapore was removed from the list on 31 May.

Air traffic in Asia Pacific has plummeted since the outbreak of SARS. Recovery will be dependant upon rebuilding passenger confidence in air travel and the continued overall reduction of operation costs. Since late March when the WHO recommended SARS screening at airports there have been no reported cases of inflight transmission of SARS. The ICAO evaluations will go a long way towards further reassuring passengers of the safety of air travel.