China's civil aviation regulator has shortened the quarantine period by half for pilots and flight attendants on international flights to the Chinese mainland.
Pilots and other crew members will undergo a week-long central quarantine and a three-day health observation along with several nucleic acid tests after operating an inbound overseas flight, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said.
Moreover, pilots who have not gotten off the plane overseas are only subject to a week-long health observation after landing and can operate other international or domestic flights during the observation period.
The CAAC has released its updated 9th edition of the COVID-19 prevention protocol for airlines and airports. It has enhanced the prevention and control measures for inbound international flights, while optimizing the management on crew and imported cargo, a CAAC official said on Wednesday.
For passenger services, the protocol stipulates that only pre-packed food and bottled water can be provided on inbound international flights.
The in-flight ventilation must be turned to the maximum throughout the flight, while the lavatories must be cleaned and disinfected every half an hour or after being used by three passengers.
Newspapers or magazines will no longer be provided in the cabin, nor the blankets or pillows, unless there is a special request.
An additional garbage bag will be put behind each seat for passengers to dispose masks or other COVID-19 prevention equipment.
All imported cold-chain cargo has also been rated as high risk, while other imported products will be classified according to their origin and risk of contamination.
Meanwhile, the new protocol stipulates that staff working on the apron or handling low-risk cargo need not wear the hazmat suit if they had no contact with overseas travelers or crew, nor entered the cabin, lounge or toilet shared by risky groups.
