New CDC isolation guidance may ease COVID-related flight cancellations
ABC News
On Monday, U.S. airlines received their first sign of possible relief, with the CDC shortening the isolation period for asymptomatic and fully vaccinated individuals.
U.S. airlines and travelers got their first sign of possible relief from the dayslong crush of canceled flights on Monday when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its COVID-19 isolation guidelines.
Since Christmas Eve, more than 5,000 flights with at least one stop in the U.S. have been canceled, according to FlightAware. As of 11 a.m. Tuesday morning, more than 850 U.S. flights had been canceled for the day. The disruptions have been partly caused by the surge in COVID-19 cases among critical flight personnel such as pilots, flight attendants and baggage handlers.
But there's some fresh hope for airline industry now that the CDC has shortened the isolation period for asymptomatic and fully vaccinated individuals who contract COVID-19 from 10 days to five.
"The new CDC guidelines should be helpful to airlines and travelers," aviation expert Henry Harteveldt told ABC News. "The shorter isolation time will allow asymptomatic employees to return to work sooner, increasing the number of crew members available to work, and reducing the risk that flights will have to be canceled."
