International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called to categorize aviation industry employees as essential workers. This way, the aviation industry employees are among the first to receive the COVID19 vaccine. Emirates reportedly informed its staff that they could either get a free COVID19 vaccine or they could pay for the tests. COVID19 tests cost $40 at private and public clinics in Dubai.
Vaccine or Pay for Tests
In an internal memo, Emirates executives want its crew members to get vaccinated by March 15. If not, they will be required to pay for their COVID19 test which is valid for seven days. Those waiting for the second dose or who have already scheduled their first dose are exempted from tests.
According to the internal memo, countries will soon “differentiate entry criteria between those who have taken the vaccine and those who did not”. It also said that “having a vaccinated workforce has become essential not just from a health and safety angle but from an operational one too”.
This policy is going to apply to all employees working in the United Arab Emirates. Last September, the airlines employed 81,334 staff. Some of them working outside the UAE. The carrier believes that having an unvaccinated workforce could also pose operational issues. According to its memo, 60% of its cabin crew has received the first dose, scheduled for vaccination, or fully vaccinated.
The airline offers two vaccines for their employees. They are offering Pfizer’s COVID19 vaccine and the one developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group.
COVID19 Vaccination Trend Among Airlines
Emirates isn’t the only airline company trying to vaccinate its employees. Last month, Delta Air Lines already began mass vaccinating their staffers in Atlanta. Also, Etihad Airways became the first airline to vaccinate 100% of its onboard crew.
This month, both United Airlines and American Airlines are set to use the single-dose Johnson & Johnson on their employees.
