Roberta Aguirre
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the importance of vaccinating airport workers, who are at a high risk of contracting and spreading the virus due to their constant interaction with travellers. While some regions, like San Francisco, have mandated COVID-19 vaccines for all airport employees, others offer it as an option. In Chicago, for example, the O'Hare airport vaccination site is available to transportation workers. However, in places like California, essential airport workers have been pushed further down the vaccine priority list, causing concern among those who come into close contact with thousands of passengers daily. To ensure the safety of both airport employees and travellers, it is crucial to consider the vaccination status of airport workers and implement measures to protect public health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Chicago, San Francisco, Hawaii, Hong Kong |
| Vaccination Requirements | Mandatory for all airport workers in San Francisco and Hong Kong |
| Testing Alternative | Weekly testing allowed for exempt employees in San Francisco and Hawaii |
| Priority Status | Not prioritized in California |
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What You'll Learn
- Airport workers in San Francisco must be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing
- Hong Kong mandates COVID-19 vaccination for targeted groups of airport workers
- San Diego airport workers demand to be put on the vaccine priority list
- O'Hare airport vaccination site available to transportation workers
- Some airline companies announce vaccination mandates for employees
Airport workers in San Francisco must be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing
In September 2021, San Francisco mandated that all workers at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) get vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing if exempt. This mandate, which went into effect immediately, was the first of its kind for a U.S. airport. It was announced by Mayor London Breed's office and applied to all on-site personnel, numbering around 46,000 individuals.
The decision was made as SFO prepared for the upcoming holiday travel season and the anticipated return of pre-pandemic passenger levels. According to Ivar C. Satero, the airport's director, "we have an obligation to provide a safe airport facility for the traveling public and our on-site employees." This mandate followed similar decisions by some airline companies and the city of San Francisco, which already required municipal workers to be vaccinated.
The mandate was well-received by those concerned about the safety of airport workers and the traveling public. However, it is unclear how many airport workers in San Francisco had already been vaccinated before the mandate was announced. Additionally, some airport workers in California, particularly essential workers like custodians, had expressed concerns about their place in the vaccine distribution hierarchy. They advocated to be prioritized, citing the high risk of infection in their line of work.
The San Francisco mandate requires all on-site employees, including Starbucks baristas, airline employees, construction workers, and security checkpoint screeners employed by private contractors, to be fully vaccinated. Employees who are granted exemptions for medical disability or religious beliefs must undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. This rule is in line with the city's efforts to protect the health and safety of its residents and support its economic recovery.
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Hong Kong mandates COVID-19 vaccination for targeted groups of airport workers
In Hong Kong, the Airport Authority has mandated COVID-19 vaccination for targeted groups of airport workers. These groups include those handling high-risk cargo or those who come into close contact with arrival and transfer or transit passengers and crew within 1.5 meters without a partition. This includes airline and ground agent staff, ramp coordinators, inflight catering coordinators, cargo loading staff, and cabin and lavatory cleaners. The mandate does not allow for alternatives such as providing negative COVID test results or claiming medical exemption.
This mandate is implemented in two phases. In the first phase, which started on September 1, 2021, specified staff were required to complete at least one dose of the vaccine. Those who had already received one dose or were fully vaccinated were mandated to undergo a test every seven days. The second phase, beginning on September 30, required all specified staff to have completed two doses of the vaccine.
The decision to mandate vaccination for these targeted groups of airport workers was made in light of a recent COVID-19 case involving an airline lounge staff member. This measure aims to enhance the safety of airport operations and protect both employees and travellers.
While the Hong Kong Airport Authority has implemented this vaccination mandate for specific groups, it is not the only airport addressing the issue of COVID-19 vaccination for its workers. In the United States, some airports and individual airline companies have also taken steps to ensure the safety of their employees and passengers. For example, San Francisco mandated COVID-19 vaccination for all workers at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), allowing for weekly testing for exempt employees. Similarly, Hawaii requires workers at state facilities, including airports, to show proof of vaccination or provide weekly negative test results.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of airport workers in maintaining safe and efficient travel operations. As discussed, some airport workers in San Diego, California, advocated to be placed on the vaccine priority list due to their constant exposure to thousands of passengers and the resulting anxiety and stress. This demonstrates the recognition of the importance of vaccinating airport workers to protect their health and ensure the smooth functioning of the aviation industry.
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San Diego airport workers demand to be put on the vaccine priority list
In California, airport workers in San Diego are demanding to be put back on the vaccine priority list. This comes after Governor Gavin Newsom recalibrated the vaccine distribution hierarchy to an age-based approach, pushing certain essential workers further back in line. Christian Ramirez, a policy director for SEIU United Service Workers union, said this is particularly a problem for custodians at California's airports. Ramirez and about 40 other members of the union rallied at San Diego International Airport and held a memorial for uncounted airport workers who have died during the pandemic.
Ramirez stated that essential airport workers who were removed from the priority list include janitors who clean and sanitize airport terminals, coming into contact with thousands of passengers. He added that these workers are living with "an extra level of anxiety and stress" and that many reside in areas that have been heavily impacted by the pandemic. The union emphasized the inequities that have resulted from the change in vaccine priorities, noting that poor black and brown people, who comprise a significant portion of essential workers, are dying at higher rates than other Californians.
The shift in vaccine distribution plans has resulted in transportation, commercial, manufacturing, and residential workers being pushed down the list, with the focus now primarily on individuals aged 65 and older. This change has caused concern among airport workers, who believe they are being treated as an afterthought despite their essential role. They argue that both they and their families are at a higher risk due to their constant exposure to large numbers of people in the course of their work.
While the exact number of airport workers who have died from COVID-19 is unclear, the Transportation Security Association has reported that 6,461 federal employees tested positive for the virus, with 14 fatalities. The demand for vaccine priority by San Diego airport workers highlights the challenges faced by essential workers who feel vulnerable and seek protection as they continue to serve the public during the pandemic.
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O'Hare airport vaccination site available to transportation workers
In Chicago, transportation workers can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site near O'Hare Airport. The site, located at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel, is accessible to all transit workers and will administer over 2,000 vaccines weekly. This includes first responders, security workers, and other employees at O'Hare and Midway airports, as well as taxi and rideshare drivers.
The availability of the COVID-19 vaccine to transportation workers at O'Hare Airport is part of a broader effort to protect individuals in the transportation industry and those who rely on public transportation. This includes airline employees, with both United and American airlines setting up vaccination clinics for their staff. United Airlines, for instance, will prioritize employees 65 and older or members of flight crews.
The establishment of this vaccination site is a significant step in ensuring the safety of transportation workers and the traveling public. It reflects the recognition that airport workers, including those who clean and sanitize terminals and come into contact with thousands of passengers, face an elevated risk of infection and should be prioritized for vaccination.
Additionally, some cities like San Francisco have mandated vaccines for all airport workers, requiring them to be vaccinated or undergo regular testing if exempt. Similarly, Hawaii requires workers at state facilities, including airports, to show proof of vaccination or provide weekly negative test results. These measures aim to safeguard both employees and travelers as passenger levels return to pre-pandemic numbers.
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Some airline companies announce vaccination mandates for employees
In the United States, the Biden administration has announced sweeping vaccine mandates for federal workers and businesses. While the mandate does not specify whether it applies to all company employees, it has urged governors to require vaccinations for school district employees. The mandate has faced political pushback and litigation, with questions remaining about its implementation and timing. However, some airline companies have already announced vaccination mandates for their employees. For example, Air Canada and United have strict vaccine requirements in place. In San Francisco, all airport workers are required to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing if exempt. Similarly, Hawaii mandates that workers at state facilities, including airports, show proof of vaccination or provide weekly negative test results.
While some unions have supported vaccine requirements, others have expressed concerns about the approach taken by certain companies. For instance, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (District 141) supports vaccinations but believes that companies should focus on incentives rather than mandates. The Supreme Court has ruled that companies can require vaccinations, and vaccine mandates for employees have been found legal across the United States.
United Airlines has set a deadline for employees to get vaccinated within five weeks of a vaccine receiving full General Use Authorization from the FDA. This means that employees must be vaccinated by late September or early October to allow for the process of full immunization.
The discussion around vaccine mandates for airport workers is part of a broader effort to ensure the safety of both employees and travelers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on where the airport is located. For example, in San Francisco, all airport workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing if exempt. In Hong Kong, targeted groups of airport workers must also be vaccinated. However, in California, essential airport workers are not on the vaccine priority list.
In San Francisco, exempt airport workers must undergo weekly testing.
Airport workers often come into close contact with arrival and transfer/transit passengers and crew. Vaccination helps to provide a safe airport facility for travelling passengers and on-site employees.
