Let\u2019s take a closer look…<\/h4>\n
The US law says you cannot knowingly carry someone with known or suspected Covid-19 to or within the US on regular passenger flights. You can\u2019t even board them.<\/p>\n
Instead, as a general rule they won\u2019t be able to travel until they meet CDC quarantine or isolation<\/a> guidelines (typically staying put for ten days and more testing), in addition to whatever local laws apply. A great reason to have travel insurance.<\/p>\n There are important reasons why a Covid-positive passenger might have\u00a0to fly.<\/em> The most common one is that they are being medically evacuated or transferred to better medical facilities. It may also be part of the passenger\u2019s insurance policy.<\/p>\n Either way, it falls upon charter or medevac operators to make it happen because the rules say that this is the only way.<\/em> The airlines just can\u2019t be used.<\/p>\n Forget ‘the brush.’<\/p><\/div>\n If you\u2019re chartered to carry Covid positive passengers – or those suspected of having it – you need to be familiar with the CDC\u2019s procedure for transport by air. Spoiler alert: you need permission<\/em>, so whatever you do don\u2019t show up unannounced.<\/p>\n You can read that procedure here<\/a> in all its glory. But here\u2019s a quick rundown of how it works.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re operating an international flight, the first step is to contact the relevant US Embassy. There may be local laws or restrictions that prevent a Covid positive patient from being allowed out of quarantine early.<\/p>\n Then, over in the US, there are three important agencies that you\u2019ll need approval from:<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also need to think about the logistics of your flight including transport, permission from other CAAs and airport authorities \u2013 including where you may need to divert to.<\/p>\n Prior to the big day it goes without saying that your unwell passenger(s) should stay in isolation. They\u2019ll need a medical exam beforehand to make sure they are well enough for the level of care you can provide them in the air.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll also need to work with airport authorities for a plan. If you have to enter a terminal, your passengers will need to be separated from the public.<\/p>\n When it comes to transporting unwell passengers, not all airplanes are created equally.<\/p>\n The CDC has guidelines<\/a> for this too. They were developed back when MERS was thing. Remember MERS? It was like Covid\u2019s lesser known cousin that appeared a few years back but was way less memorable at the party.<\/p>\n In a nutshell they need to be large enough to be able to separate passengers and crew into different parts of the airplane. Ventilation is also important \u2013 ideally, cockpit air should have positive pressure relative to the main cabin and not be mixed.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to think about range. Every stop you make will become a logistical challenge to manage. If you can make it in one go, you should.<\/p>\n First things first, keep that air flowin\u2019. At all times. Even on the ground during long delays, you need to keep ventilating the airplane.<\/p>\n Passengers and crew must wear masks \u2013 don\u2019t worry you can remove them to sip on your coffee. You can get away with basic ones, but the CDC recommends the fancier N95 masks or better.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the kicker<\/em> \u2013 crew need to remain separated from passengers unless there is an emergency or to provide single-serve meals. You can put up placards or barriers but they need to be obvious and not stop anyone from reaching emergency exits or seeing cabin signs.<\/p>\n If you can, seat passengers at the rear of the aircraft and keep cabin crew at the front – at least six feet away. The reasons for six feet will become clear in a sec. Pax should have their own bathrooms.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>The airplane will need to be thoroughly cleaned. As in squeaky clean<\/em>. There are rules for what types of products need to be used \u2013 you can read about that here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Post-flight cleaning needs to be squeaky clean.<\/p><\/div>\n As for crew, as long as you\u2019ve followed the rules, you don\u2019t need to be tested or quarantine. But make sure you self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days afterwards, just in case.<\/p>\n This is where things start to get tricky…<\/em><\/p>\n Being a \u2018close contact\u2019 of a known Covid case for all intents and purposes means you have been exposed.<\/p>\n But what counts as \u2018close\u2019? Brace yourself, because the CDC have that base covered – it means anyone who has been within six feet of a confirmed case for a cumulative total of 15 minutes over 24 hours.\u00a0 Cumulative<\/em> being important here \u2013 so for example, three 5 minute exposures counts as \u2018close\u2019. It doesn\u2019t need to be all in one hit.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em>There\u2019s effectively three scenarios here:<\/p>\n No. But you can<\/em> transport multiple positive pax together, you just can\u2019t mix positive ones with those who have tested negative.<\/p>\n The CDC website, you can visit it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The US FAA, their Covid specific stuff is found here<\/a>.<\/p>\nBut what if they have <\/em>to travel?<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/fai_covid19_safety_2.jpg\")
It starts with the phone.<\/h4>\n
\n
Pre-travel.<\/h4>\n
Choose your ride.<\/h4>\n
On-board.<\/h4>\n
After landing.<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AircraftDis-1024x759.jpg\")
The \u2018close contact’ conundrum.<\/h4>\n
So, what happens when a known close contact still tests negative?<\/h4>\n
\n
Cool, so can Covid positive passengers be transported with their close contacts?<\/h4>\n
Still have questions? We don\u2019t blame you. Here are some handy places to start.<\/h4>\n