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About the eighth European meeting of the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA-EUR / 08)

The Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) participated in the 8th European meeting of the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA-EUR / 08) which was held online on November 11 -12, 2020.

The meeting focused on discussing ideas, strategies and practices in public health in civil aviation. Conference speakers presented their assessments and possible scenarios as well timelines for the market recovery and further development of the air transport industry in the region.

One of the main issues on the meeting’s agenda was flexible coordination of public health emergency preparedness programs, and plans at the global, regional, national and operational levels, in accordance with the guidelines contained in "Take-off: Guidance for Air Travel through the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis."

IAC, being CAPSCA EUR member and coordinator for interaction with civil aviation authorities in the Commonwealth States, delivered a presentation on "IAC activities for readiness and cooperation of the Member States of the Agreement on overcoming threats to Public Health in civil aviation."

In the presentation Interstate Council and IAC showcased its efforts in coordination and harmonization of sanitary, epidemiological and regulatory support of the civil aviation of the Member States of the Agreement, cooperation with civil aviation, public health authorities, and other international and local organizations.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic the IAC has been publishing COVID newsletter on its website, providing operational statistics and disease rates, presenting preventive measures for aviation personnel against COVID-19 and for overcoming the pandemic, providing access to ICAO operational information, recommendations for the prevention of infectious diseases, and leading public health emergency effort in civil aviation.

IAC supports implementation of CAPSCA proposed mechanisms for assessing the readiness of civil aviation, designated airports and providing them with technical assistance. Relevant letters and proposals have been sent to the Member States of the Agreement.

During CAPSCA EUR 08 online event, IAC announced the following proposals:

•      To support the appeal to the Governments of the ACI Worls and IATA and the IATA to use the Common Testing System Protocol on COVID in the shortest possible time as a means to safely open borders and restoration of global connectivity

•      Introduce a system "Health Code" to control over the movement of citizens upon arrival and departure

•      For the global implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) as well as the WHO International Health Regulations in the planning preparedness of prevention of the events and emergencies in the field of public health of civil aviation in the on-line mode and to provide technical assistance to civil aviation and designated airports.

•      In order to relaunch flights on the basis of mutual confidence of states and in accordance with the CAPSCA technical assistance program, assess the degree of readiness and cooperation in civil aviation of states to overcome threats to public health.

•      To support the ICAO Response and Recovery Platform activities and encourage States to actively engage with the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Implementation Center (CRRIC) in the monitoring, documentation, reporting and strict implementation of CART recommendations: https://portal.icao.int/CRRIC/Pages/default.aspx applicable laws, regulations, requirements, standards and guidelines issued by relevant subnational, national and international authorities.

•      In order to provide the necessary information, proposals, public health actions implemented in the state, rapid analysis and early implementation of CART recommendations on measures to protect public health, the state CRICC coordinators organize close interaction with public health authorities, and other organizations involved in the preparing the civil aviation (state) in the field of emergency in public health. Upon receipt of information and expertise to make rapid changes and amendments into readiness plans and other documents.

•      To introduce positions of coordinating inspectors for the sanitary and epidemiological support of civil aviation and interaction with public health authorities within the civil aviation authorities of states.

Under the circumstances, IAC continues not only to participate actively in CAPSCA meetings, but also to implement all of its ongoing joint projects with ICAO, as well as a series of its own annual industry events in online format.

The European and North Atlantic Regional Bureau of ICAO has acknowledged IAC for its prompt and effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic challenges and assured that it would continue to support joint projects.