Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Senate Commerce\nCommittee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Senator Richard Blumenthal\n(D-Conn.) today sent a letter to the Departments of Transportation (DOT),\nHealth and Human Services (HHS), and Homeland Security (DHS), urging these\nagencies to convene a joint task force on air travel during and after the\ncoronavirus pandemic. This task force \u2013 advised by aviation, security, and\npublic health experts \u2013 would develop recommended requirements, plans, and\nguidelines to address the health, safety, security, and logistical challenges\nfor air travel moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe were pleased when the Biden administration recently\ncalled for interagency cooperation to develop national public health\nrecommendations for domestic travel,\u201d write the lawmakers in their letter to\nDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, HHS Acting Secretary Norris Cochran, and DHS\nSecretary Alejandro Mayorkas. \u201cHowever, we believe that a more structured\nprocess remains necessary \u2014 one that includes robust collaboration among\ngovernment, industry, labor, and other experts, with the goals of solving the\npressing problems created by the pandemic and charting a path forward as\nvaccinations accelerate and travel demand returns.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the ongoing emergency, airlines and airports have\nlargely had to develop their own rules for ensuring coronavirus-related health\nand safety. Unfortunately, a patchwork of rules simply cannot address the\ninterconnected and widespread risks of a global pandemic. The letter calls for\nthe federal government to lead and promulgate clear and consistent safety\nstandards that apply across the entire aviation industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A copy of the letter can be found HERE<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n