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TAIPEI: Taiwan’s EVA Airways said on Tuesday (December 29) that it has fired four pilots and four cabin crew members since March for violating rules related to preventing COVID-19 infections, adding that it was compromised. to enforce anti-pandemic measures.
Last week, the company said it had fired a New Zealand citizen who had worked as one of its pilots after the government blamed him for Taiwan’s first national broadcast since April 12.
The case sparked public ire after the government said it had not reported all of its contacts and the places it had been, nor had it worn a mask in the cabin when it should have.
LEE: Taiwan fines EVA Air US $ 35,000 after pilot blames COVID-19 infection
In a statement, EVA Air said that since March it has fired eight employees, four pilots and four cabin crew members, for “regrettably violating anti-pandemic rules,” although it did not provide details.
“EVA Air always attaches great importance to discipline, and the vast majority of the crew members on the front line of service approach transportation and epidemic prevention tasks with a cautious and serious attitude,” he added.
“EVA Air’s position on strict monitoring of epidemic prevention has never changed.”
Since then, the government has tightened its rules for airline crews, including quarantines when they return to Taiwan, and has also fined EVA Air $ 35,000 for the New Zealand pilot incident.
EVA Air, like most airlines, has very short hours due to worldwide border restrictions.
Until last week, Taiwan had not reported national transmission in eight months, thanks to early and effective measures to stop the virus, including the massive use of masks and strict quarantines for all arrivals.
READ: Keep Calm, Says Taiwan After First Local COVID-19 Case in 8 Months
Taiwan has recorded 795 confirmed infections, the vast majority imported, including seven deaths. A total of 127 people are currently being treated at the hospital.
Cautiously after the domestic infection, some New Year’s Eve events in Taiwan have been scaled down or canceled, but major celebrations are still expected to take place, albeit with stricter controls such as mandatory use of masks.
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