The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a Safety Information Bulletin (SIB) giving recommendations to national aviation authorities, aviation operators and airports in response to the evolution of the Coronavirus outbreak.

• The SIB recommends that operators provide information to crew members as to how to manage a case of acute respiratory infection on board an aircraft.
• It further recommends that operators encourage crew members and airport staff to identify any passengers showing signs of acute respiratory infections who were also recently in China or in contact with people coming from China.
• Operators performing flights to/from affected countries should be equipped with Universal Protection Kits for crew members assisting with potentially infectious cases. Crews with a layover in China should also be informed and be provided with equipment as recommended by the Chinese authorities.
• In addition, the SIB calls upon operators to collaborate as much as possible with the public health authorities to provide support in tracing passengers in the event of flights where a Coronavirus ‘2019-nCoV’ infection has been confirmed.

Please see the full EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2020-02 for more information.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), common signs of Corona infection include “respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties”.

WHO standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include “regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing”.

To keep updated with WHO advice for international travel and trade, refer to the WHO website.

EBAA will provide further updates as appropriate.