Why no quarantine for Air NZ cabin crew
Air NZ international cabin crew have been largely exempt from quarantine during the lockdown, and that has not changed despite anger at the highest levels about the latest coronavirus cases.
Every traveller arriving in New Zealand on a flight since April 9 has had to self-isolate for 14 days either in a quarantine facility if they showed coronavirus symptoms, or in an approved managed isolation facility if they were asymptomatic.
Air New Zealand cabin crew did not have to go through quarantine if they followed Ministry of Health precautions while overseas.
An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said yesterday that the airline continued to follow the advice of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transport to keep customers and crew safe.
Jet aircraft were fitted with hospital-grade air systems that filtered out viruses, and hand sanitiser was available in airports and on aircraft for customers and staff to use.
Air New Zealand had not adopted international guidance recommending face masks be worn for air travel, despite major carriers making them compulsory for passengers and crew.
However, on international flights, the Ministry of Health required crew to wear masks and gloves during food and drink service, and face-to-face interactions with customers. Crew had to wear full personal protective equipment when dealing with a sick passenger suspected of having Covid-19.
All arriving international air crew had to undertake a health assessment on arrival, and had to use a safe corridor to move through the airport to minimise potential contact with others.
Crew who developed symptoms of an acute respiratory infection or who had close contact with a Covid19 case during layover would be referred to a managed quarantine or isolation facility hotel.
The Ministry of Health updated its requirements for international air crew on Tuesday.
‘‘The border is the strongest line of defence in maintaining the gains that have been achieved to date in keeping Covid-19 out of New Zealand,’’ the ministry said in its advice to air crew.
‘‘Part of this defence is requiring almost everybody who crosses the border to undertake 14 days quarantine or isolation. Because of the importance of maintaining international air routes, air crew are exempt from the requirement for isolation or quarantine.’’