European agencies drop COVID-19 aviation health safety protocol

Photo taken on Dec. 8, 2022 shows an exterior view of the headquarters of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Wei Xuechao/Xinhua)

Despite formally retiring their COVID-19 health and safety measures for aviation, the ECDC and the EASA still encourage passengers, crew members, aviation stakeholders and national competent authorities to continue to focus on proper ventilation, hygiene measures and respiratory etiquette.

STOCKHOLM, June 29 (Xinhua) -- COVID-19 health and safety measures for aviation were formally retired by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Thursday.

Passengers wearing face masks are seen at the departure hall of Paris Orly Airport near Paris, France, June 26, 2020. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

The Aviation Health Safety Protocol (AHSP) was issued by the two agencies in May 2020, and aimed to promote a harmonized approach to measures on COVID-19. The protocol also aimed to reduce disturbance to flight operations while ensuring safety for the European population, ECDC said.

The decision to retire the protocol was taken in the light of decreasing and stable trends regarding COVID-19 in the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) since March 2023. The World Health Organization (WHO) said on May 5 that "COVID-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)."

A staff member checks the COVID-19 green pass of a passenger at Fiumicino airport in Rome, Italy, on Sept. 1, 2021. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

However, the two European agencies still encourage passengers, crew members, aviation stakeholders and national competent authorities to continue to focus on proper ventilation, hygiene measures and respiratory etiquette.