According to WHO until now it is not recommended for any member states to adopt any measures which will restrict international traffic for either incoming or outgoing travellers. However, WHO recommends international travellers to adopt precautionary measures for those who are planning to travel or who undertook international travels.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are crucial at entry to prevent the spread of monkeypox disease. Here are some guidelines to follow:
Monkeypox suspected passenger On Arrival
- Monkeypox suspected passenger must wear mask and air traffic control tower shall inform BHS-P for safe disembarkation of the monkeypox suspected passenger.
- To avoid exposure from monkeypox suspected passenger, the aircraft will be allowed by the air traffic control tower to let disembark suspected passenger at apron and not via routine channel of bridge area. Monkeypox suspected passenger should be moved in CAA ambulance to the designated isolation area immediately after immigration.
- Immigration process of monkeypox Suspected passenger should be done by FIA under proper preventive measures. Keep documents in zip lock bag, wear mask and gloves.
- The practice of protocols shall be stopped at once to prevent any chance of exposure from suspected disease passenger and further outbreak of diseases of international concern. CAA, FIA, ASF, ANF, Custom and Airlines staff must ensure stoppage of this practice and make sure that their staff does not stand near health counters to protect themselves and avoid further spread.
Monkeypox Guidelines for Wheelchair Handlers (Airlines)
Follow standard precautions along with additional transmission based precautions as per WHO
- Wheelchairs carrying staff must wear masks and gloves.
- Wheelchair must be cleaned and disinfected with bleach after transportation of monkeypox suspected passenger every time.
Monkeypox Guidelines for Baggage handling staff
- While handling baggage all baggage handlers must wear masks and gloves.
- All baggage must be fumigated and disinfected as soon as it is disembarked from the aircraft. The luggage, luggage area, FIA counter Area, Health inspection Area, corridors, high touch surfaces of escalator, toilets should be disinfected or fumigated in case of any flight having monkeypox suspected passenger.
- Arrival lounge should be fumigated if any transit passengers stay there waiting for next flight.
Public Health Preventive measures.
Monkeypox Guidelines for Health staff:
- Make sure hand hygiene and wear proper Personal Protective Equipment’s (mask and gloves).
- Do not come in close contact with any passengers.
- Be vigilant and carefully observe every passenger specially Umra pilgrims. Any passenger who falls on case definition must isolated immediately from other passengers and should inform to higher management for further preventive measures.
- Strict measures should be taken to disinfect premises, including the toilets.
- Make sure proper disposal of used PPEs according to the recommendations.
Monkeypox Guidelines for civil Aviation Authority and Airports Security Force
CAA and ASF should be responsible for implementation of social distancing measures e.g. Marking out proper distances for queuing and seating arrangements and they must ensure compliance to prevent the risk of transmission.
- CAA and ASF should facilitate Baggage handling system staff at Airports and avoid issuing flight passes for protocol to reduce the chances of monkeypox spread.
- Civil Aviation must ensure provision of a suitable place to BHS-P Airport Health Department at cargo areas of all International airports to facilitate the required screening of cargo goods, parcel, and livestock can be done without spread of monkeypox infection.
Monkeypox Guidelines for Porter Staff at International airports
- CAA Porters handling baggage must wear masks and gloves while they are handling baggage.
- It is recommended to sanitize trolley handles frequently
- Hand hygiene should be ensured with frequent hand washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.
Monkeypox Guidelines for Federal Investigation Agency/ Immigration Staff
- FIA/ Immigration staff should follow public health preventive measures while handling the passengers.
- FIA/ Immigration staff must wear face mask and gloves while handling passports and other documents of the monkeypox suspected passengers.
- Hand hygiene should be ensured with frequent hand washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.
- It is also recommended to disinfect and sanitization counters’ front, desk area and frequently touched surfaces after each flight.
Monkeypox Guidelines for Customs Staff
- Customs officers / officials should follow public health preventive measures
- Customs officers / officials wear masks, gloves while handling and screening baggage and guiding the passengers at arrival.
- Hand hygiene should be ensured with frequent hand washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.
- For any consignment / detail of cargo (Goods or any livestock or Plants) being imported in the country, the following details need to be captured including Consignment No. , Containing, Tracking ID, Passport No. , Company concern, Origin of country& city, Nationality, Placement detail on ship and Transit Airport.
- Any cargo / consignment / Goods etc. at arrival shall be cleared only after Health clearance at airport and issuance of Health clearance certificate by BHS-P through Airport Health Department.
Monkeypox Guidelines for Anti-Narcotics Force Officials
- ANF officer/officials should follow public health preventive measures
- ANF officer/officials wear masks, during their duty for checking of baggage of the monkeypox suspected passenger.
- Hand hygiene should be ensured with frequent hand washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.
- It is recommended to sanitize and disinfect counters to avoid monkeypox spread.
Monkeypox Guidelines for Janitors Cleaning Staff
- Janitors and cleaning staff which is deputed to clean premises and toilets must wear masks and gloves for self-protection.
- Janitors and cleaning staff should use 0.1 % bleach solution to clean the toilets as per recommendations.
- Janitors and cleaning staff should thoroughly wash toilets with detergent and bleach.
- Janitors and cleaning staff should ensure frequent disinfection of urinals.
- Janitors and cleaning staff must make sure proper and safe waste disposal of toilets waste bins.
- There should be frequent monitoring and supervision of hygienic and sanitary conditions of the Airport and its premises.
- Hand hygiene should be ensured with frequent hand washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.
Monkeypox Guidelines for Safe Disposal of Aircraft Waste
- CAA agency, concerning authority engaged in proper safe disposal of aircraft waste shall be responsible to strictly comply with the waste disposal guidelines and implement guidelines.
- Baggage handling system staff and CAA agency must disinfect areas with frequent contact of passengers like Lifts, Hand Rails and Baggage Trollies.