[ad_1]
Aviation rejects a stricter quarantine for air travelers
Plans to toughen the quarantine for returning travelers have sparked massive protests in the aviation industry. Associations BDL and ADV described the measures planned from October as “disproportionate” because a quarantine of at least five days with a final negative corona test meant a new blockage of flight operations.
The founder of the pharmaceutical company Centogene, Arndt Rolfs, suggested a double test on Friday: “As an alternative to the mandatory five-day quarantine, at the end of which there must be a negative test result to be able to get out of quarantine, the possibility of a test on the day of admission and afterwards it must be sensible. 5 days can be offered to avoid forced quarantine “.
According to the resolutions of the prime ministers of the federal states on Thursday, the old regulation of a mandatory entrance test will continue to exist for returnees from risk areas at least until October 1. For the rest of the returnees, the free tests will be suspended as of September 16.
BDL Managing Director Matthias von Randow noted that the number of people who returned from the trip and tested positive came only to a very limited extent from areas where people use the plane for their trip. “The vast majority of travelers who tested positive came from Kosovo and other Balkan countries, where most of the travel is not by plane but by car.”
“A second lockdown would be fatal for airports,” warned Ralph Beisel of airport association ADV. “It would be better to continue using the established test infrastructure at airports and quickly test travelers in risk areas.” During the discussion, Lufthansa managers and airport operator Fraport also spoke out against the stricter quarantine rules for returnees.
The BDL appealed to the federal government and the states to use the remaining time until October to avoid closure. Sufficient testing capabilities might be available that would have to be used sensibly and effectively. Von Randow also suggested considering individual regions of source countries in risk analysis outside of Europe. It is not always necessary to declare risk zones for entire countries.
Centogene boss Rolfs announced that his company will keep the centers in Frankfurt and Hamburg in any case. “Testing the symbols of mobility – and what airports are – is a decisive contribution in the fight against the pandemic.” In the short term, expect a decrease in the number of tests when the country’s plans are implemented, the neurologist said. “In the medium and long term, however, they will undoubtedly continue to increase, because testing will be indispensable for a long time. The vaccine will not be available in good quality for the next two years. “
Initially, Centogene centers only performed corona tests for a fee. Testing capabilities will also be available in the future, for example for customers who have to submit a new corona test upon entering China or Israel. Tests at the airport should also be easily accessible to those arriving. “The proof has to reach the user.”
A spokeswoman said that the German Red Cross test center at Frankfurt airport will continue to operate regularly until further notice. The state of Hesse has also commissioned the state of Hesse to offer free tests for those returning from a trip and arriving by plane at Frankfurt airport from risk areas. Since its opening on July 30, the DRK center has conducted 55,000 tests, of which about one percent indicated infection with the Covid-19 virus.
