The Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (Barsa) has issued a call to the South African government to consider a balanced risk-adjusted strategy in its approach to air travel restrictions amid the third wave of the virus.
Barsa CEO, Zuks Ramasia, says regulation is the bedrock of the aviation industry, and it is already highly regulated. It continues to fully support all the health protocols that are aligned with the World Health Organization, Icao, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and the SA Department of Health guidelines.
She said the industry also supported global efforts to ensure travel bans were replaced with harmonised Covid-19 PCR-testing standards and validation of passengers’ vaccination status through innovative technologies such as the Iata Travel Pass. The Pass is a mobile app that helps travellers to store and manage their verified certifications for Covid-19 tests or vaccines – this has the critical ability to allow governments to verify the authenticity of tests and vaccinations and the identity of those presenting their certificates.
The aviation industry is essential for global business as it generates economic growth, creates jobs, and facilitates international trade, travel and tourism.
-Travel News
