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Anti-flu measures tightened

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-05-13 09:55

Domestic passengers with fever symptoms who have come from or visited flu-affected regions in the past seven days will now also have to report their health at airports.

A medical worker sprays disinfectant liquid during a drill at Xianyang International Airport in Shaanxi province yesterday. [China Daily]

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) yesterday released a series of urgent measures to plug holes in airport security which were exposed by the first A(H1N1) flu case on the mainland.

Under previous advice, passengers boarding domestic flights were not required to make declarations about their health.

All airports will now post notices at check-in counters to remind passengers showing any flu symptoms to tell staff.

The CAAC said it would be up to local health departments to decide whether the passenger could travel.

The tightened measures follow the confirmation of the mainland's first flu patient, surnamed Bao.

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Bao arrived at Beijing's International Airport on a flight from Tokyo on May 8 but showed no flu symptoms and his temperature was below 37 degrees.

He had a nine-hour wait for a connecting flight and spent that time at a nearby hotel where he did not leave his room.

When he later checked-in for the flight to Chengdu, Sichuan province, Bao was not required to undergo a body temperature test or fill in a health declaration form because he was a domestic passenger.

The CAAC said additional body temperature testing facilities would be set up at airports which handle international and domestic flights so that inbound transit passengers are also checked.

Airlines are also asked to equip all international and domestic airplanes with infrared facilities to check the body temperature of passengers.

If a passenger is detected with fever symptoms but is unable to return the air ticket then they will be seated where they have the least contact with other passengers, the notice said.

If a passenger with flu symptoms is found during the flight, cabin crew must report it, record detailed information and take distancing measures.

Previous advice issued by CAAC on April 28 urged airports and airlines to pay special attention to international flights arriving from flu-affected countries and regions.

"The new measures have covered all international flights as well as domestic flights," a CAAC official said.

Some passengers said they were concerned about the lack of punishment for those who deliberately cover fever symptoms on domestic flights.

"It will be better and safer if there are infrared machines for domestic flight passengers," said Wang Renfeng, a frequent traveler from Beijing.

Airlines and airports said they would implement the circular as soon as possible.

"Previously, we have prepared medicine and thermometers on flights to America, Europe and Oceania, as well as strengthened management of air crew," Zhu Mei, an Air China spokeswoman, said.

Beijing Capital International Airport this month installed additional infrared machines to double-check inbound passengers' body temperature. All inbound passengers are also required to fill out a health declaration form before entering China.

"The new measures will be deployed overnight," Li Shengbo, an airport spokesman, said.