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Ensuring Health Safety in the Skies Act Aims to Protect Air Travelers from COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) has introduced the Ensuring Health Safety in the Skies Act (H.R. 7177), a legislation aimed at protecting air travelers and aviation employees from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill, a companion measure to Senate legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), proposes to establish a Joint Task Force to develop federal safety guidelines and protocols for commercial airlines.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ensuring Health Safety in the Skies Act (H.R. 7177) requires the Secretaries of Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Transportation to establish a Joint Task Force to develop federal safety guidelines and protect passengers and aviation employees against the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Joint Task Force would include representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Transportation Security Administration, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant federal agencies.
  • The Task Force would also involve local airport authorities, labor organizations, public health experts, privacy and civil liberties groups, and other aviation stakeholders.
  • The Ensuring Health Safety in the Skies Act aims to develop comprehensive health, safety, and security guidelines to enhance air travel operations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The legislation is supported by several aviation safety stakeholders, including the Airline Pilots Association, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, and the Massachusetts Port Authority.
  • The bill would require the development of uniform, mandatory guidelines for airlines to follow when it comes to airplane cleaning and disinfecting, employee notification of exposure to COVID-19, and the use of masks for passengers and crew.

Statistics:

  • There is no specific mention of the number of cases or infections related to COVID-19 while traveling.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plays a crucial role in the proposed Joint Task Force.
  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) would also be involved in the Joint Task Force.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives Çô Congressman Stephen F Lynch (D-Boston) Washington, D.C.
  • Sourced from MIL OSI USA News (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/)

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