Geneva: Coronavirus: the airport informs travelers arriving from China – News Geneva: Geneva news

Information measures have been taken at the airport in connection with the coronavirus epidemic. They have been in place since Thursday and are intended for travelers from China.

Three weekly flights connect Beijing to Geneva. They are operated by Air China. On Thursday morning, 157 travelers arrived in Geneva on this flight and 180 other people embarked on the return flight.

Information leaflets were distributed to travelers from Beijing. It is first specified that the mask is not necessary in Switzerland “taking into account the local epidemiology”. It is then recommended that people who do not have symptoms remove their mask, throw it in a bin provided and rub their hands with a hydro-alcoholic solution.

In case of symptoms (cough, feeling of fever or difficulty breathing), it is recommended to consult a doctor. The procedure and telephone numbers are indicated.

These measures were decided by the Federal Office of Public Health in coordination with the border doctor, in this case Professor Didier Pittet, specialist in infection prevention at HUG. They complement those taken by Air China. Departing from Beijing, the company ensures that travelers do not have symptoms. They wear a mask during the trip and fill out a questionnaire about their destination and the length of their stay. On arrival in Geneva, a video was again broadcast to them.

In Geneva, the mask is therefore removed. “We are betting on good behavior, such as good hand hygiene and keeping away from people, these simple measures work,” explains Didier Pittet.

Should we go further and remove these flights? To this, the professor specifies that 98% of the deaths took place in the province of Wuan, now closed, and mainly concerns the elderly or the chronically ill. These deaths are partly explained by an overwhelmed health system. The mortality rate, estimated at 2% today, should drop sharply with the detection of new cases. “It is therefore somewhat necessary to qualify the gravity of this virus”, notes the doctor.

According to him, a closure of these flights would be entirely disproportionate to the risk. It would not prevent the introduction of the virus by other means.

Swiss has however decided to no longer fly from Zurich. “It is primarily for economic reasons that airlines are taking these measures,” said Didier Pittet. Air China has already canceled some of its scheduled flights next week from Geneva.

Created: 06.02.2020, 19h44

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