Airports trade group advocates for testing instead of quarantines

An international trade group representing airports is the latest organisation to call for widespread coronavirus testing to replace quarantine measures in order to encourage passengers to begin travelling again. Airports Council International (ACI) World last week called on governments to introduce consistent protocols for testing as an alternative to “broad-brush” quarantine requirements, which remain effective in many parts of the world. These measures are extending potential travellers’ uncertainty about once again booking a flight. The organisation says it will request the ICAO develop a plan to “align risk-based, practical measures to allow the aviation industry to restart in a coordinated manner, while providing reassurance to travellers... Unilateral national measures, especially a quarantine requirement, is damaging to both the industry and passenger confidence,” said ACI World director general Luis Felipe de Oliveira. “Unnecessary quarantine measures are particularly harmful to passenger confidence as international air travellers have no assurance that, if they make flight arrangements, they will be able to return to their place of departure to continue their daily lives.”<br/>