Delta CEO asks CDC to cut quarantine time for breakthrough Covid cases

[WASHINGTON] Delta Air Lines' chief executive asked the head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday (Dec 21) to shrink quarantine guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals who experience breakthrough Covid-19 infections, citing the impact on the carrier's workforce.

CEO Ed Bastian, along with the company's chief health officer and a medical adviser, asked in a letter to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky seen by Reuters that the agency's recommended quarantine period for anyone who tests positive with a breakthrough Covid-19 infection be reduced to 5 days from the current 10.

The letter suggested that individuals could end isolation with appropriate testing.

White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci said on Tuesday that US health authorities are considering reducing the 10-day recommended quarantine period for Americans testing positive for Covid-19 as the Omicron variant tears across the country.

The CDC declined to comment.

"With the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the 10-day isolation for those who are fully vaccinated may significantly impact our workforce and operations," Bastian wrote. "Similar to healthcare, police, fire and public transportation workforces, the Omicron surge may exacerbate shortages and create significant disruptions."

Bastian noted the current guidance was developed in 2020 "when the pandemic was in a different phase without effective vaccines and treatments".

Delta said that "as part of this policy change, we would be interested to partner with CDC and collect empirical data". Bastian said more than 90 per cent of Delta's workforce is "fully vaccinated, and those rates are increasing daily".

He also noted that "all airline personnel are required to mask at airports and on airplanes". The Biden administration has mandated masks at all airports and on airplanes through Mar 18.

REUTERS