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Traveling Amid Pandemic: The Future Of Airline Safety Procedures

As Hollywood Burbank Airport schedules a reopening of terminal B on Thursday, additional safety precautions approved by the International Air Travel Association (IATA) such as test-to-travel have been established among other airports to limit COVID-19 transmissions. 

Resuming all arriving and departing flights on Alaska and United airlines as well as ticket counters and baggage services, Hollywood Burbank Airport has complied with IATA protocols and actively adapted their procedures to protect travelers amid increased travel expectations due to terminal B’s reopening.

“The health and safety of our travelers, personnel and all Hollywood Burbank Airport users is our top priority,” said Frank Miller, executive director of Hollywood Burbank Airport. “Hollywood Burbank Airport is operating normally, and we are working closely with the City of Burbank Emergency Management Division and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for coordination.”

State, city, and county authorities have established additional rules of conduct to limit COVID-19 transmissions which include enforcement of face coverings at all times while in public spaces. 

Additionally, certain airlines, including Delta and JetBlue Services have temporarily suspended flights to and from the Hollywood Burbank Airport due to consolidation efforts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

To accommodate destinations requiring COVID-19 test certificates, certain has enforced testing upon arrival for flight traveling to Germany, Greece and the United Kingdom, however this does not apply to the Hollywood Burbank Airport as they do not offer international travel options.

According to the IATA, COVID-19 examinations across all international airlines should ideally be mandated as early as 24 hours upon airport arrival by reason that passengers authorized “ready-to-fly” reduces the risk of contagion in the airport, while enabling quick re-accommodation for travelers who test positive for the virus.  

“Airlines are committed to reducing the risks of COVID-19 transmission via air travel and COVID-19 testing could play an important role,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO. “But it must be implemented in line with ICAO’s global restart guidance with the aim of facilitating travel. Speed, scale and accuracy are the most critical performance criteria for testing to be effectively incorporated into the travel process.”

COVID-19 testing has been recommended upon departure as governments must mutually acknowledge test results and data transmissions to observe how e-clearances are handled between passengers and governments as well as identify any malpractices, affirmed by the IATA. 

With the ability to detect the presence of the virus while symptoms are not observed and antibodies have yet to develop, PCR testing is required for travel. Serological testing is not suitable as it only detects antibodies that confirm whether or not a person has had the disease; It does not detect the virus before antibodies are present.  

Re-bookings and refunds in line with particular airline commercial policies have generally become more flexible to passengers who test positive and passengers who suspect they possess symptoms associated with the virus. Members of the same traveling party, specifically members of the same household, are commonly granted the same accommodations. 

If a traveler tests positive on arrival, the individual should be treated in line with the receiving state’s policies. Airlines are not required to repatriate or penalize passengers by reason of testing positive for the virus, according to the IATA.

Testing requirements should only be permitted for as long as necessary. Regular evaluations should be permitted to do so. 

If you would like to be tested for COVID-19, testing centers are located for those showing COVID-19 related symptoms at Facey in Mission Hills and Facey in Valencia. Both testing centers are currently closed to those seeking test-to-travel certificates due to limited test kits. 

Anyone, with or without symptoms, interested in being tested can receive an antibody exam after receiving a referral through Exer’s VirtualCare portal or at an Exer clinic prior to scheduling a test appointment. VirtualCare by Exer, an online extension of urgent care service, provides access to a medical provider via video chat and a quick diagnosis. After receiving a referral, you will be directed to visit their local Exer clinic to proceed with antibody testing.


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Traveling Amid Pandemic: The Future Of Airline Safety Procedures

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About Rachel Matta

Born and raised in Santa Clarita, Rachel Matta has always had a love for writing and media. The first time she ever smiled was actually while she was laying next to her mom as she flipped through the pages of a magazine. Upon graduating from high school in 2019, she chose to major in both journalism and political science at College of the Canyons with the intention of concentrating in news reporting. She began her journey at KHTS as a news intern in the summer of 2020 and officially joined the newsroom in the spring of 2021, intending to move forward with compassion and inquisition.