COVID-19 Safety Aspects

Dear fellow pilot,

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many among us are still Keywords
operating flights, be it as a skeleton service, rescue or cargo missions. COVID-19

Since so many authorities have published guidance to limit spreading Corona

Safety
of the virus – covering different areas in more detail – and some
Protection
incorrect information is also out there, it may be difficult for flight
Flight crew
crews to find relevant information for their specific task.
Containment

This leaflet is an attempt to address this issue by collecting official

guidance regarding the coronavirus in a single paper. Referenced text
is reproduced as-is. The hyperlinked references (e.g. [EASA]) provide
easy access to check the source and check for possible updates.

We hope this paper helps to protect you, your family, friends and
colleagues. Only by reducing the spreading of the virus can we
“flatten the curve”, reduce the risks of working in the critical service
we provide, and ensure adequate medical attention for all in need.

Take care and above all: fly safe!

Jon Horne
ECA President

rue du Commerce 20-22, B-1000 Brussels (Belgium) +32 2 705 32 93 eca@[Link] [Link]
Issue number 1
30 March – 19 April
COVID-19 Safety Aspects
Guidance for Flight Crews

Use of masks
Medical face masks should be reserved
for persons with respiratory symptoms
(and who can tolerate them) to avoid Facemasks should be considered:
contamination to others. [WHO] • for crew when you are helping sick travelers
with respiratory symptoms such as coughing
Surgical mask There is little evidence that wearing a or sneezing.
(protects others) mask is effective in preventing healthy • for sick travelers to help reduce the spread of
flight crew members from getting an respiratory germs.
infection. It is not recommended to fly • for people sitting near sick travelers (with
the aeroplane while wearing a mask. respiratory symptoms) when the sick traveler
[IFALPA] cannot tolerate wearing a mask. [CDC]

Recommended Personal Protective Facemasks are NOT needed:

Respirator • for a sick traveler complaining of nausea or
(protects yourself)
Equipment (PPE) for cabin crew (on board
aircraft) [EU Healthy gateways] vomiting. This could result in choking or a
N95 (US) = P2 (EU) ≥94%
N99 (US) = P3 (EU) ≥99% blocked airway.
Cabin attendants should wear surgical • for sick travelers who can’t tolerate a facemask
Will these protect me? mask with low exposure risk and medical or refuse one. In this case, ask sick travelers to
protective masks (or FFP2 masks) with cover their coughs or sneezes. [CDC]
higher epidemic risks [CAAC]

When ground personnel is on board crew

members should take all measures to
minimise direct contact including wearing
PPE. [EASA]

Use of gloves Gloves do not prevent you

touching your face! [IFALPA]

Also refer to the use of UPK

(spill kit) [IATA] when handling a
(suspected) case on board (see
Glove standards [CEN] next page).
How to Remove Gloves [CDC]
Gloves don’t replace proper handwashing!

Aircraft disinfection
Disinfection <24h after arrival with aviation approved
substances + alcohol percentage 62-71% ethanol alcohol,
0.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite
[EASA] [EU Airports list] [CAAC]

Detailed disinfection procedures [EASA cleaning]

Properly dispose contaminated items. Notify cleaning crew

of areas contaminated with diarrhea, vomit, blood, or other Antimicrobial agents effective against different coronaviruses
[ECDC]
body fluids [CDC] – refer to bloodborne pathogen standard
[29 CFR 1910.1030]

rue du Commerce 20-22, B-1000 Brussels (Belgium) [Link]

Issue number 1
30 March – 19 April COVID-19 Safety Aspects
Guidance for Flight Crews

Crew health Crews and other personnel with

any symptoms of flu should not be
working This is to prevent potentially
infected persons in the flight deck and BRIEFING TOPICS
thus prevent spread of the virus to • Remind crewmembers to immediately report a
surfaces of the flight deck. [IFALPA] fever, cough, or any difficulty breathing.
[EASA] • Check in with crewmembers periodically to
make sure they continue to self-monitor and
If you are sick, do not travel via jump are not symptomatic.
seat, deadheading, or as a regular • Ensure crewmembers are asymptomatic
passenger [FAA] before they board a flight
• Review procedure in case of (suspected)
Share your travel history with health contamination on board. [FAA]
care providers [EASA]

Handling a (suspected) case on board

• Designate one crew member to in order to reduce the risk of to self-report if feeling ill as
serve the ill person, preferably spreading the potential SARS- described above; [EASA]
a crew member trained in CoV-2 infection and try to • Provision for non-contact infrared
infection prevention and minimize the contact between thermometer [CAAC]
control measures and not the suspected passenger and
necessarily the crew member cabin crew members and the After landing:
that has already been attending other passengers. [EASA] [WHO] • Comply with local regulations
to this traveler. Designate one • Use last 3 rows & individual [EASA] [WHO] [ACI]
toilet for use only by the ill (right) rear lavatory [CAAC] • The crew member designated
person. [WHO] • Provide a plastic bag for to look after the ill passenger
• Make use of protective disposal of used tissues, with exposure event, should
equipment (single use gloves air sickness bag(s), or other minimize close contact with other
and mask) from one or more contaminated items [CDC] crewmembers, and be arranged in
Universal Precaution Kits (UPK) • Turn off air flow from private transport and quarantined
[EASA] [IATA] [CAAC] [WHO] ventilation system above the with those assigned in the same
• Keep interactions with sick sick passenger on board a zone after the flight segment.
travelers as brief as possible. plane so as to reduce the risk of [CAAC]
[CDC] spreading virus/droplets from • After the flight, you could choose
• Provide a medical facemask sick passengers? [EU Healthy to consult with your private
for the symptomatic passenger gateways] healthcare provider if you develop
• Recommend to passengers symptoms [CDC]

Administrative requirements

GENERAL DECLARATION PAX LOCATOR CARD FORM

Use the health part of the aircraft general Ask passengers to complete passenger
declaration to register the health informa- locator card forms to identify where in the
tion on-board and submit it to the Point aircraft the passenger is seated along with
of Entry health authorities when required information regarding their immediate
by a State’s representative; [EASA] travel plans and contact details. [EASA]
[WHO]]

rue du Commerce 20-22, B-1000 Brussels (Belgium) [Link]

Issue number 1
30 March – 19 April COVID-19 Safety Aspects
Guidance for Flight Crews

Layover considerations
ARRIVING AT THE HOTEL
Stay in hotel room, use social • Consider exchanging contact information
distancing, eat-in using room service (phone or room number). [ECA]
or delivery service or in hotel. Avoid • Ensure crewmembers know how to contact
using public transport. [IFALPA] [FAA] their state or local health department. [FAA]
• Advise crewmembers to notify their state
Develop a plan in the event a or local health department if they become
crewmember becomes symptomatic symptomatic, in addition to reporting to the
during an overnight layover [FAA] employer’s occupational health program. [FAA]

Dispatch considerations

Crew planning should consider using

crews as teams to prevent potentially
infected persons in the flight deck and
thus prevent spread of the virus to
surfaces of the flight deck. [IFALPA]

Crews and dispatch should consider

Availability of suitable alternate [Forbes Magazine]
airports (e.g. fuel policy, flight
planning) Area control centers or
airpsace might be closed in case of
COVID-19 contamination. [ECA]

Hygiene measures on the flight deck

SELF-ISOLATION AFTER A FLIGHT
Check disinfection, headset policy, personal
is to be decided by your authority. If a flight has
protective equipment (PPE), alcohol gel with
no layover, it is not expected that there would be
adequate alcohol percentage (>70%) in place or
a need to self-isolate. For flights with a layover,
available.
the decisions will depend on the destination,
risk of infection, and any exposure risks at the
Disinfect all surfaces with alcohol wipes before
destination. [IFALPA]
starting your flight preparations. [ECA]

If routine use of OXY mask is required (such as Read the ATSB Guidance on self-isolation
for operations above a given Flight Level), use
disinfection towel before and after the use of
mask. [IFALPA]

Psychological state Social distancing

Pilots that aren’t willing to fly should not be forced to. Mental Keep crew hand-overs short and respect a distance of
capacity should be available for operational decision making, at least 1,5m. Try not congregate whilst on duty and for
not for worrying about COVID-19. [ECA] meal times. [ECA]

rue du Commerce 20-22, B-1000 Brussels (Belgium) [Link]