Iberia has announced that it will implement a special COVID-19 health plan, designed in collaboration with Spanish hospital group Quirónsalud and employee representatives. The aim of the programme is to give all employees the most robust possible protection against the virus.
The plan calls for blood test to detect COVID-19 antibodies in employees returning to on-site work following furloughs, as well as disinfection of all workplaces, the use of PPE and other hygiene measures.
In May, Iberia plans to carry out COVID-19 tests on around 2,500 of its employees working in the airport and in aircraft maintenance, as well as cockpit and cabin crews. During the course of the year, the airline plans to test the entire staff of nearly 17,000 people.
The voluntary testing will be performed when employees return to work after furloughs, and again 15 and 30 days later. The tests will be carried out in Iberia health stations and on Quirónsalud premises.
Moreover, PCR test, which are currently the most popular way to detect COVID-19 infections, will be performed on employees returning to work after sick leave with the virus. It will also be available for employees who have worked closely with others who have tested positive.
The company is also considering the installation of thermal cameras to screen employees for fever, among other measures.
Earlier measures Iberia has taken since the outbreak of the pandemic include:
- New and more aggressive protocols for cleaning and sanitising aircraft, all installations, work stations toilets, all areas where people gather, and equipment.
- Consciousness-raising campaigns to encourage hand-washing, social distancing, the use of PPE, and all other prevention measures recommended by health authorities.
- Issuing PPE to employees.
- Wider use of tele-working, tele-training, videoconferences, staggered entrance and leaving times when possible, redistribution of space, signage, physical barriers, etc.
