Pakistan International Airlines Requires Cabin Crew to Take Passenger Temperatures

The Civil Aviation Authority in Pakistan has released new guidance for passengers and cabin crew and things are going to get.. interesting.

First, the not-so-abnormal (anymore) requirement that all passengers and crew onboard PIA will now be required to wear masks… and shockingly the airline will provide them to passengers:

“All cockpit and cabin crew will wear appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) dress and surgical masks throughout the duration of flight without compromising on safety,” said a spokesperson for the Aviation Division

All passengers are required to wear surgical masks throughout the duration of flight and the masks shall be provided by the airline at check-in counters of the airport if the passengers did not have their own.

The newly approved operational procedures for passengers and chartered international flights to Pakistan which covered effective steps required to control the spread of coronavirus disease are:

• The body temperature of each passenger shall be checked after an interval of 90 minutes during in flight with a calibrated non-contact thermal device.
• Any passenger having symptoms or feelings of Covid-19, including but not limited to shortness of breath, coughing, high fever and sore throat, must immediately inform the cabin crew.
• The cabin crew will provide hand sanitisers every hour during the flight to each passenger except during the food/beverage service. Food and beverage is strongly discouraged for flights of duration less than 150 minutes.
• Three Aft rows shall be kept vacant for the passengers and crew displaying symptoms of illness. The passengers and crew members displaying symptoms of illness will be isolated towards aft of the aircraft and kept their till the termination of flight. Such persons will remain at this seat in the aircraft till such time the health crew is called in by the cabin crew for medical evacuation.
• After completion of boarding, the senior purser/lead cabin crew will take a picture of each aircraft zone displaying passengers seated while wearing masks. The photograph of passenger seating will be submitted to the concerned health staff at the airport of disembarkation. The airline will maintain copies of these images in its record.
• Before landing, the captain of the aircraft will confirm to the concerned air traffic controller that international passenger health declaration form had been filled by all otherwise no one shall be allowed to disembark from the aircraft.

With the added risk traveling adds to one’s chances of contracting COVID-19, flight attendants now have added duties that require additional interaction with passengers. The Civil Aviation Authority didn’t announce whether any added benefits, health or compensation, would be offered to cabin crew or if it would just fall within the responsibilities of the job.