Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3.
Delta Air Lines CEO criticized a possible coronavirus test requirement for domestic travel, after transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg mentioned an “active conversation” with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help stop the spread. of COVID-19.
In an interview published on Monday with the Associated Press, Delta CEO Ed Bastian resisted the idea of testing people before flights in the U.S., citing already weak demand and limited testing capabilities for medical purposes.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian rejected the idea of testing people before flights in the U.S. (AP Photo / Mark Lennihan, Archives)
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“I don’t expect that to happen. I certainly hope not,” Bastian said when asked about his thoughts on the CDC considering such a mandate. “The level of travel that we are transporting internally in the United States – not just Delta, but across the industry – would be substantially reduced from today’s low levels if domestic testing were needed. And we don’t have the facilities, the technology or resources to administer or monitor home tests. “
While the agency described the executive as “dead” in relation to such a requirement inside the country, Bastian fully supports COVID-19 tests for international travelers entering the USA
“The test is the key to opening international markets and borders, so I welcome the test that [CDC] is asking for [a negative test before travelers enter the U.S]. The test will be an important step in restoring consumer confidence, and as that confidence increases, I think you can see these [border] the restrictions are reduced “, he explained.
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In January, the CDC announced that negative tests will be required of passengers on all international flights to the United States, following news of more infectious strains from abroad.
On Sunday, Secretary Buttigieg revealed that there was an “active conversation” going on with the CDC about mandatory testing for domestic flights in the fight against COVID-19. (Stefani Reynolds / Pool via AP)
On Sunday, Secretary Buttigieg revealed that there was an active discussion with the CDC about mandatory testing for domestic flights in the fight against COVID-19.
“There is an active conversation with the CDC now,” Buttigieg told Axios. “What I can say is that it will be guided by data, science, medicine and the contribution of the people who will really have to do this.”
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He drafted the comment the next day, recognizing that travel industry groups – who largely oppose the COVID-19 test requirement – raised “valid points” by arguing that such a mandate could eliminate tests already limited for vulnerable communities. , and COVID-19 could spread almost as easily as traveling by car.
When CDC chief Dr. Rochelle Walensky was asked about the transport secretary’s comments during a press conference on Monday with the White House COVID-19 response team, she said the agency was considering proposed as a possible additional security measure to prevent the spread of the disease virus.
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“The more screening we are doing in the places where people are meeting, I think the more asymptomatic disease we are going to detect … there is more collection that happens at airports and as we have exams available, to be able to do exams “Walensky told reporters.
“First of all, I would really encourage people not to travel, but if we are traveling, this would be another form of mitigation to try to slow the spread.”
Fox News’ Adam Shaw and the Associated Press contributed to this report.