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KUALA LUMPUR: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for the development and deployment of fast, accurate, affordable, easy-to-operate, scalable and systematic Covid-19 tests for all passengers prior to departure as an alternative to quarantine measures with in order to restore global air connectivity.
IATA said it will work through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and with health authorities to implement this solution quickly.
International travel is 92% below 2019 levels. It has been more than half a year since global connectivity was destroyed when countries closed their borders to combat COVID-19.
Some governments have cautiously reopened borders since then, but there has been limited uptake because quarantine measures make travel impractical or frequent changes to Covid-19 measures make planning impossible.
“The key to restoring freedom of mobility across borders is routine Covid-19 testing of all travelers prior to departure.
“This will give governments the confidence to open their borders without complicated risk models that see constant changes in the rules imposed on travel.
“Testing all passengers will restore them the freedom to travel with confidence. And that will put millions of people back to work, ”IATA Director General and Executive Director Alexandre de Juniac said in a statement.
The economic cost of global connectivity failure makes investing in a test-open border solution a priority for governments, he said.
IATA said its public opinion research revealed strong support for Covid-19 testing in the travel process.
About 65 percent of travelers surveyed agreed that quarantine should not be required if a person tests negative for Covid-19.
The survey also revealed that 84% agreed that all travelers should be tested and 88% agreed to be tested as part of the travel process.
In addition to opening borders, the public opinion research also indicated that the tests will help rebuild passenger confidence in aviation.
Respondents identified the implementation of Covid-19 control measures for all passengers as effective in making them feel safe, second only to the use of masks.
And the availability of rapid Covid-19 tests is among the top three signals travelers will look for to ensure travel is safe (along with the availability of a vaccine or treatment for Covid-19).
IATA’s call is to develop a test that meets criteria for speed, accuracy, affordability and ease of use, and that can be systematically administered under the authority of governments following agreed international standards.
It is pursuing this position through ICAO, which is leading efforts to develop and implement global standards for the safe operation of international air services amid the Covid-19 pandemic, he added.
Testing for Covid-19 before departure is the preferred option as it will create a “clean” environment throughout the travel process.
The tests on arrival affect the confidence of passengers with the potential of quarantine at the destination in the event of a positive result, the IATA said.Named
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