5.06.21 – COVID-19 Worldwide Efforts

Thursday, May 6, 2021

COVID-19 Worldwide Efforts

Flying Between the U.S. and the U.K.

APFA, along with aviation Unions and stakeholders, sent a letter urging President Biden and Prime Minister Johnson to consider easing travel restrictions between the US and the UK. With COVID-19 vaccines widely distributed in both countries, restarting the travel/tourism is crucial to our economic recovery.

From the letter:

“The priority in any re-opening of air travel is public health. Since the onset of the pandemic, the travel, and tourism sector has partnered closely with both governments to protect the health and safety of passengers and employees, working tirelessly to implement new travel restrictions and meet testing requirements. We are confident that the right tools now exist to enable a safe and meaningful restart to transatlantic travel.”

Read the full letter here.

Biden Administration Supports WTO TRIPS Waiver 
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)

The COVID-19 vaccines are considered intellectual property and are therefore protected through copyrights and patents. However, many parts of the world still lack vaccine access and may not get vaccinated until as late as 2024. This means that in some places, the COVID-19 virus will continue to spread and possibly mutate. We must prevent variants of this coronavirus from developing. Swift and collective actions are necessary to eradicate this virus and end the pandemic.

As Flight Attendants, we fly to all world regions, and we understand that our jobs depend on a healthy global network. APFA believes that the emergency and temporary TRIPS waiver is essential to our recovering industry. We thank President Biden, who yesterday announced U.S. support for lifting these patent protections, though other WTO member countries remain opposed. A greater supply of vaccines, treatment, and diagnostic tests must be produced in as many places as possible to help the world recover. The end of the pandemic depends on immediate global vaccination.

In Solidarity,

Allie Malis
APFA Government Affairs Representative

Lori Glattly
APFA Government Affairs Representative
[email protected]