Published by Ozgur Tore
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Malaysia Airlines General Manager for Corporate Safety, Security, Health & Environment (CCSHE), Captain Dr Ooi Teong Siew, said that the airline has put precautionary measures in place in regards to the Swine Influenza outbreak.
Malaysia Airlines would be assisting the Ministry of Health, Malaysia in expediting the screening process of its passengers arriving from the United States and other affected countries, particularly for those with connecting flights. The screening is being carried out by the ministry as a precaution against the swine flu outbreak and passengers with obvious symptoms will be quarantined.
The airline has activated operating procedures for pandemic flu based on WHO and IATA guidelines, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health. The procedures have been issued to Malaysia Airlines crewmembers, Airport Operations staff, maintenance and cleaning personnel and all other staff directly involved in the handling of passengers, cargo and baggage.
In particular, Malaysia Airlines’ primary measures relate to special handling of suspects, provision of passenger services, public hygiene and sanitation, maintaining high levels of cleanliness during inflight service and ground service provision. These measures include close monitoring of passengers for any signs of illness, provision of sufficient inventory of health safety equipment on onboard and thorough cleaning and disinfection of the aircraft upon passenger disembarkation. This is similar to that implemented during the SARS outbreak in 2003.
Malaysia Airlines staff has also been provided with information on swine flu in efforts to heighten general awareness of hygiene to minimize the risk of infection.
At this stage, there are no travel restrictions in place and Malaysia Airlines is still operating normally. However, Malaysia Airlines passengers who have booked to travel to Los Angeles or New York can make changes to their flights at no charge from now until the end of May.
Malaysia Airlines will continue to coordinate with the Ministry of Health and closely monitor the pandemic and is prepared to strictly adhere to public health directives put forth by the Ministry. This is especially with regard to the airline’s international flight arrivals and departures to the U.S. which Malaysia Airlines operates 3 times daily on the return routes Kuala Lumpur – Los Angeles and Kuala Lumpur – New York.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 April 2009 )
(travel news gazatte)
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