CDC updates airline coronavirus guidance for aircraft cleaning, dealing with ill passengers
The CDC's procedure updated Wednesday, involves how to clean aircraft as well as how to deal with sick passengers.
According to the CDC, crew should follow routine procedure if no symptomatic passengers were on board. If there were symptomatic passengers, however, then the CDC has outlined enhanced cleaning procedures to follow in addition to the airline's routine steps.
The enhanced procedure involves cleaning all surfaces within a six-foot radius of the ill passenger's location. These include their seat and seat belt, the surrounding carpet, armrests, tray tables, windows and overhead compartment handles.
All bathrooms used by the sick person should also be thoroughly cleaned, including the door handle, locking device, toilet seat, faucet, washbasin, adjacent walls and counter.
The CDC's guidance also offers recommendations for tending to sick passengers.
According to the organization, travelers who have had a persistent fever for more than 48 hours should be reported immediately. Travelers who have a fever coupled with either a persistent cough, difficulty breathing or visibly unwell appearance should also be reported.
The CDC also advises cabin crew to separate sick travelers from others by about six feet and to designate one crew member to serve the sick person. Every crew member should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds after assisting someone who's ill.
If available, cabin crew should also offer face masks to sick passengers.
"If a facemask is not available or cannot be tolerated, ask the sick person to cover their mouth and nose with tissues when coughing or sneezing," the update continues.
Crew should also treat "all body fluids... as infectious" and wear disposable medical gloves, face masks, eye protection and gowns when tending to sick passengers. After use, all equipment should be disposed in a biohazard bag.