Cathay Pacific implements voluntary "closed-loop" flights outside China

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced on 5 February 2021 that, starting from February 20, crew members and crew members previously exempted from quarantine in Hong Kong will need to undergo "14+7" quarantine testing and arrangements, that is, to self-quarantine in designated quarantine hotels for 14 days. They can enter the community and receive medical surveillance within 7 days, including 2 tests, and they can perform duties again after being negative.

According to Hong Kong media reports, Cathay Pacific also released new measures overnight and asked the crew to sign a voluntary letter before 11 February t cooperate with the closed-loop flight measures.

It is reported that the crew will have 21 days of closed flight each time they perform their work, and they will be able to go home after another 14 days of isolation. There will be at least 35 days of retreat without seeing relatives and friends. This arrangement is tentatively scheduled for 7 weeks. Only passenger flights to mainland China, Taiwan and Macau, or flights without passengers are exempt.

After completing isolation and returning to the community, the crew will have 14 days of vacation, which includes the 7-day medical observation period prescribed by the government, during which two more tests are required, respectively on the 15th, 19th or 20th day of arrival.

In addition, the crew members will receive HK$78 for breakfast, HK$287 for lunch, HK$327 for dinner, HK$125 for overnight stay, and HK$148 for laundry during the hotel isolation period. Cathay Pacific will also provide sports facilities and more food choices in the hotel to maintain the crew's physical and mental health during closed-loop flight and isolation. After completing the 21-day closed-loop flight, they will receive a "Completion Closed-loop Allowance" each, ranging from HK$280 to HK$450 per day according to the position.