On 23 October 2020 another COVID-19 meeting between the Delegation and Senior Management took place. COVID-19 cases in Luxembourg and most other parts of the world are increasing and we kindly ask you to take note of this important special members’ update.
Rostering
We did highlight the risk that comes with frequent changes of the crew composition during a rotation. In a particular example one pilot would meet 31 other pilots while on duty over a period of 11 consecutive days. This certainly increases the chance of being either infected or getting in contact with a positive case with the possible negative implication to the pilots’ health but also to the business, in case of several pilots would have to be quarantined.
We suggested that management should consider this fact when rostering pilots and further to schedule the annual Ground School Recurrent (GTR) as a distance learning course, like it was done earlier this year. This would also be in line with the re-introduction of work from home for ground staff.
COVID-19 testing prior leaving Luxembourg
We are delighted, that as of Wednesday 28 October 2020, voluntary rapid COVID-19 testing will be available for all pilots prior to leaving Luxembourg on a rotation. We communicated this request by our members in several meetings with management in the previous months.
The testing prior to leaving home base should help in reducing the risk of being quarantined while on a rotation, hence we recommend making use of this possibility.
Initially two nurses have been contracted by the company to conduct these tests between 04.45h – 13.45h and 15.00h – 23.00h local times in the Lorang building. Results are expected to be available within 20 minutes. Please note that the test is on a voluntary basis and shall be done prior reporting for a duty.
The CEO explained that if a rapid test shows a positive result, the pilot would be taken off the planned duty. In this case the pilot would be required to self-isolate as per the applicable procedures.
Following a positive result, a voluntary PCR can be taken immediately in the Lorang building in order to validate the result of the rapid test. The result of the PCR test should be available within 24 to 48 hours. We strongly recommend taking the PCR test in this case. In case the pilot decides to take the test, he is required to self-isolate until the test result is known. This could be done either at home or at a company provided hotel accommodation (accommodation only).
If the PCR test result would also be positive, the pilot is required to quarantine as per the applicable procedures. This could be done either at home or at the company provided hotel (accommodation only).
Whenever the company provided accommodation is used, either when waiting for the result of the voluntary PCR test or after a positive PCR test, management expects that the pilot would strictly follow the official quarantine rules.
Further details should be published in due course by management.
Layover
Socializing with other crew members during a layover is an important part of our daily life as crews and became even more important with the increased number of stations mandating in-room confinement for the entire duration of a layover. This leaves only very few destinations where we still can meet with fellow colleagues for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Unfortunately, this comes with an increased risk to get infected or spread an infection we are not aware about. This is especially true in a place like Novosibirsk, which became the station with the highest number of pilots laying over during a single day.
It is therefore important that we all follow the known preventive measures, not only to protect ourselves and our loved ones, but also to prevent more and more colleagues become infected.
We therefore ask all members to continue adhering to social distancing and the other preventive measures. This includes wearing a face mask on a layover, whenever social distancing is difficult to be maintained!
