Government tightens rules for air crew to reduce risk of Covid-19 entering the community

Crew on domestic flights transferring passengers to managed isolation facilities will be subject to Covid-19 tests to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. The requirement is one of a series of strict new rules for air crew that come into effect at midnight Sunday. Health Minister Chris Hipkins said the measures added to the defence against Covid-19 entering New Zealand. “The air border is a complex ecosystem and we’ve made sure to take sufficient time to work with a range of stakeholders to get this strong and workable safety regime in place,” Hipkins said. Hipkins said under the new rules cabin crew on domestic flights transferring passengers to managed isolation facilities will be tested due to close proximity to international travellers. Previously there was no requirement for crew to isolate after the flights and they could go on to operate regular scheduled flights immediately afterwards. Such flights sparked concern from one Air NZcrew member, who feared it was only a matter of time before a flight attendant caught Covid-19 from a passenger and become a source of community transmission. Other new rules include overseas-based air crew laying over in New Zealand being required to stay in a Government managed isolation facility for as long as they are in the country. <br/>